KARACHI The snooker fraternity which received the news of Mohammad Sajjad's victory in Korat Snooker Cup final in Thailand with joy has termed it a great breakthrough for the baize game in the country.
“Sajjad is knocking at the door of Asian and world snooker championships and has a bright future ahead,” a delighted president of Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), Alamgir Shaikh, told Dawn on Saturday. “Pakistan enjoys and enviable record in the game and Sajjad's rise to the top in a short span of time has opened new avenues,” he added.
Commending his performance he said the Sargodha-born player has shown phenomenal progress in the Asian circuit during last three years. “His success is a true indicator that the game has good prospects,” he remarked.
The PBSA official was critical of lack of financial support from the government despite submission of budget.
“Sajjad's victory heralds a new beginning for Pakistan snooker,” an elated PBSA patron, Asghar Valika, told Dawn.
Valika, under whose leadership the game reached new heights, termed it no mean achievement. “Sajjad was pitted against best players of Asia in a 32-man draw and performed exceptionally well to erase the Asian championship loss,” he said.
Valika advised the PBSA to provide more international exposure and coaching facilities to Sajjad in order to further polish his skills.
