KARACHI, Feb 7 Pakistan, considered as one of the leading nations in the baize game globally due to its immense contribution, plans to take a lead by offering to stage a five-nation 6-ball international snooker tournament in the city during summer.

“The hosts are expected to be joined by Thailand, India, UAE and Bahrain in the contest which is likely to take place either in June or August,” president, Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), Asghar Valika said on Thursday.

The 6-ball competition has experience a large following in Thailand since its launch in that country in the recent past. “It`s a shorter version of snooker ,like Twenty20 in cricket, and provides thrill and excitement to the fraternity of the game,” Valika, who returned from Bangkok after attending the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) board meeting told newsmen.

He said the rules and table in the 6-ball event are similar to that of the longer version and the only difference was that it has six red balls instead of 15.

Being the hosts, Pakistan will field two teams which are to be picked either on the basis of national ranking or at the end of a practice tournament, he said.

He said a purse of half-a-million Thai Bhatt (one million Pak rupees) will be on offer for winner in the inaugural 6ball contest for under developed Asian countries being held at Thailand under the aegis of ACBS.

Unfolding the details of ACBS moot, he said Myanmar will play host to the 9th Asian U-21 Snooker Championship and 7th Asian Billiards Championship simultaneously from April 5 to 12.

Pakistan, he said, will send a player or two in both the events as the budget permit.

Valika said PBSA has inked a deal with a local insurance firm on Thursday for sponsoring the re-launch of National U-21 Snooker Championship in the city.

The ACBS executive vice-president said the 24th Asian Snooker Championship will be played at the Dubai Police Officers Club. Originally, it was to be played from May 1 to 11 on eight tables. The format is now being revised following board members suggestion to curtail the duration by accommodating more tables in the venue, he said.

The venue has a capacity to accommodate at least 20 tables.

The PBSA chief disclosed the launch of Asian Cup Snooker Team Championship and Asian Open Tour has been deferred.

Vietnam was inducted co-opted member in the ACBS board for the cue sports events that are to take place during the third Asian Indoor Games in 2009.