“Country's top 16 cuemen will be in action in the most competitive event of the year,” Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association President Alamgir Shaikh told reporters at a press conference.

“This event will serve as the qualifier for the world championship. On the basis of  the national ranking chart, top two cueists will represent the country in the World Snooker Championship being staged in Damascus (Syria) in December,” he said.

Alamgir Shaikh said sponsors are providing funding of Rs.400, 000 to the event. Winners of the event take Rs.50, 000 and runner-up Rs.30, 000 and the losing semifinalists will get Rs.10, 000. The remaining amount will be distributed as daily and travelling allowance among the players.

Players are drawn in two groups and two top cueists from each group will qualify for the semifinal rounds which will be played on October 2 while the final will be contested on October 3.

Asjad Iqbal has been top seeded for the event while Sajjad is seeded number two. Asjad of Punjab will play Rambail Gul of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 28 at 10.00 a.m. while Muhammad Sajjad of Punjab will be up against Mauman Awan of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Snooker is a potential medal sports and we are sponsoring it to help cueists bring laurels and glory to the country,” Anjum Nisar said.

He committed to hold the event on regular basis as part of their endeavor to promote sports.

“We want to take Pakistan forward in Snooker in Asia,” Anjum Nisar added.

Following are grouping

Group A Asjad Iqbal (Punjab), Imran Shehzad (Punjab), Sohail Shehzad (Sindh), Muhammad Asif (Punjab), Omair alam (Sindh), Qasim Kamani (Sindh), Abdul Sattar (Sindh), Rambail gul (KPK).

Group B Muhammad Sajjad (Punjab), Muhammad Asif Toba (Punjab),Imran Qamar (Punjab), Muhammad Jawed (Punjab), Sharjeel Mahmood (KPK), Sultan Muhammad (Sindh), Shahram Changezi (Punjab), Nauman Awan (KPK). - APP