By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)
The officials of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), in a special meeting held at their office in Karachi on October 18, paid tribute to its former President, Ali Asghar Valika, who also served as the Chairman and the Patron-in-Chief of the board.
“Rich tributes were paid to the services of Ali Asgahr Valika to cue sports. His visionary leadership for many years brought accolades to the country with Pakistan becoming world champions. The Asian Championship was also hosted by Pakistan during his tenure,” Zulfiqar Ali Ramzi, President, PBSA, observed.
“His services were recognized internationally as well, and he served on the board of ACBS as President and IBSF as Vice President. He was giant among his peers and was looked up to by all regional associations as a mentor and adviser,” the PBSA President reckoned.
“The popularity of snooker today in Pakistan can be contributed to his visionary leadership and his charismatic personality inspired his colleagues and players to excel and achieve,” Zulfiqar Ramzi declared.
“In his passing away snooker has lost a great servant of the game and whose contribution has left an indelible mark in history of snooker in Pakistan and internationally,” he highlighted.
The PBSA members offered Fateha and prayed for his soul rest in eternal peace and condoled with members of his family and sports lovers in Pakistan and world over whose lives he had touched.
The members recorded that it was an honour for them to have served with him and recalled his memory with love and compassion.
