Pakistan’s top cueists gear up for IBSF World Snooker Championship 2025

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The fancied quintet of Shahid Aftab, Muhammad Sajjad, Asjad Iqbal, Muhammad Asif and Muhammad Hasnain Akhtar will represent Pakistan in the IBSF World Snooker Championships (Men) 2025, scheduled to be played at Doha, Qatar, from November 3 to 13.

Naved Kapadia, Secretary, Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), will be accompanying the squad as a delegate. He will also be in action as one of the referees in the mega event. 

The practice session and training camp for the Qatar-bound Pakistani cueists is being held at the Jahangir Khan Sports Complex in Karachi. The trainees could be seen in action from 10 am to 5 pm, gearing up for the upcoming global event. 

The PBSA officials are hopeful that the participating cueists will be successful in winning laurels for the country. They reckon that the selected players have the experience as well as the skillset to bring home more trophies.

Meanwhile, the PBSA has announced that Muhammad Asif has directly qualified for last 48 by virtue of being the defending champion while Asjad Iqbal, who advanced to the last 16 knockout round last year, and Muhammad Hasnain Akhtar, the reigning world U-17 champion, have also directly qualified for last 48. 

Shahid Aftab and Muhammad Sajjad, the other two Pakistani cueists, will be appearing in the qualifying round last 64.

Muhammad Yousuf, it may be recalled, was the first Pakistani to win the World Championship in 1994 while Muhammad Asif won his maiden world crown in 2012.

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PBSA condoles death of its former President

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.

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Ali Asghar Valika laid to rest at Noor Bagh Graveyard

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s distinguished sports administrator and former President of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika, was laid to rest at Noor Bagh Graveyard in Karachi on October 11. Also having served as President of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) two times, he had passed away at the age of 78, after a prolonged illness, a day earlier. 

His funeral was attended by a large gathering of sports officials, colleagues, and admirers, including the Karachi Club President, Irfan Moten, ex-PBSA President and Karachi Club Secretary, Jawed Karim, former PBSA President, Alamgir Shaikh, former Karachi Gymkhana President Fawad Malik, members of the PBSA Executive Committee, club staff, friends, relatives, and well-wishers. 

"We are grateful to all those, who supported us in the time of grief,” his younger brother Abbas Valika acknowledged. 

Pakistan’s three-time world snooker champion Muhammad Asif expressed deep sorrow at Asghar Valika’s passing, paying tribute to his “tremendous service for the development of snooker across the globe.” Asif described him as a “visionary patron who discovered, promoted, and guided players to reach world-class levels.” 

Condolences also poured in from Pakistan cricket greats Wasim Bari, Asghar Valika’s former schoolmate, and Iqbal Qasim, ex-chief selector and left-arm spinner currently in South Africa, who expressed his thoughts via video link. Both of them recalled lifelong contribution to sports administration and his pivotal role in nurturing international champions such as Muhammad Yousuf and Muhammad Asif. 

Widely regarded as the Father of Pakistan Snooker, Asghar Valika transformed the cue sport from a recreational pastime into a competitive discipline. He served as PBSA President for over two decades from 1988, during which Pakistan hosted multiple Asian and World Snooker Championships, including the historic 33-nation IBSF World Championship in Karachi in 1993, a milestone in the country’s sporting history. 

Under his leadership, Pakistan achieved its first Asian Games Gold Medal in Snooker at Bangkok in 1998 through Shaukat Ali, and several other podium finishes followed in subsequent editions. He also helped secure major sponsorship from Red & White and Jubilee Insurance, ensuring the sport’s financial sustainability and growth for a long time. 

Beyond his administrative acumen, he was a mentor and visionary, credited with introducing Pakistan’s ranking system and bringing televised snooker to national audiences. His efforts expanded the sport from elite clubs to every corner of the country, inspiring generations of young cueists.

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Sports fraternity mourns demise of Asghar Valika

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s veteran sports administrator and former President of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika, passed away in Karachi on October 10 after a prolonged illness. He was 78, his younger brother Abbas Valika confirmed. 

Widely regarded as the Father of Pakistan Snooker, Asghar Valika played a pioneering role in transforming snooker from a recreational pastime into one of the country’s most competitive and organised sports. 

He served as the PBSA President for over two decades from 1988 and also held key international offices, including Senior Vice President of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) and President of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS). 

Under his leadership, Pakistan successfully hosted multiple Asian and World Snooker Championships, including the landmark 33-nation IBSF World Championship at Karachi in 1993. He was instrumental in securing major sponsorship, notably from Red & White and Jubilee Insurance, which revitalized the sport’s profile nationwide. 

He is also credited for nurturing cueist Mohammad Yousuf, who went on to win the 1994 IBSF World Snooker Championship in Johannesburg, a defining moment in Pakistan’s sporting history. 

A businessman by profession and Managing Director of Valika Industries, Asghar Valika was also associated with early cricket development in Dubai during the 1970s. His passing away marks the end of a golden chapter in Pakistan’s sports administration. He is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.

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Father figure of Pakistan snooker, Ali Asghar Valika, passes away

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The venerated personality of Ali Asghar Valika, who spearheaded the revival of snooker and other cue sports in Pakistan, breathed his last after a protracted illness on October 10. He was 78. 

Asghar Valika became associated with the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) in 1986 and he was elected unopposed as its President in 1988. He continued to lead the body for five successive terms of four years before quitting office in 2008. During his era, Pakistan’s cueists earned laurels at global as well as continental levels. 

He was the motivational force behind hosting the Asian Snooker Championship in 1991 and the World Snooker Championship in 1993 which brought to light his outstanding organizational capabilities. 

Subsequently, he was elected as the President of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) for two successive terms during which his initiatives for the promotion of cue sports were widely lauded. He also served as Vice President of the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF). 

The Karachi Club remained second home for him for a long time and he mobilized his resources in revitalizing the club and making it known as the hub of sporting activities.

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History repeats itself; PBSA directed to do away with chairman

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The promulgation of the National Sports Policy by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) in 2008 had brought to an end the 20-year-old tenure of Ali Asghar Valika as President of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA). 

Now history is on verge of repeating itself as Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, the gentleman having succeeded Asghar Valika in 2008, seems set to lose his position as chairman of the PBSA following a recent PSB ruling, notified on July 25. 

“The highest position in the Federation shall be that of the President. No other title or designation such as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), or any equivalent shall exist within the Federation,” according to the article 6 of the rules, called National Sports Federations (Tenure) Rules, 2025. 

The PBSA now seems to be left with no other option than to do away with its current chairman, Alamgir Shaikh, who stands disqualified for holding any office in the body which he headed as its President for eight years, from 2008 to 2016. 

It remains to be seen if Almagir Shaikh, who has faced numerous controversies of different kinds in the past, chooses to withdraw from the chairmanship voluntarily or the saner elements in the PBSA persuade him to quit the body to save it from further embarrassment and possible governmental action. 

The onus will be on the PBSA movers and shakers to act swiftly for the sake of the future of cue sports in the country. They should not be losing sight of the fact that the PBSA was banned by the PSB in 2008 and it was reinstated only after a change of guard. 

If the PBSA leadership had swallowed the bitter pill in September 2008 in the larger interest of cue sports, there appears no reason why they could not make another sacrifice of sorts. 

When Asghar Valika, credited to have revived snooker, could leave the Association, Alamgir Shaikh could do the same quietly. It will not be out of context to mention here that following his retirement as President at the behest of the PSB, the PBSA had unanimously elected Asghar Valika as its life chairman in view of his services to cue sports in general and snooker in particular. 

Constitutionally, the chairman was just a ceremonial post with President, being the leader of the house. A couple of tenures of four years each of Alamgir Shaikh was followed by that of Munawwar Hussain Shaikh from 2016 to 2020. 

Jawed Karim was elected as the PBSA President in 2020. One of the most hotly debated decisions in his tenure was the sidelining of Asghar Valika from chairmanship which was believed to be manipulated by Alamgir Shaikh to get himself in the driving seat sometime in 2021. This created bad taste within the ranks of the PBSA Managing Committee, the majority of whom did not favour the sacking of Asghar Valika. 

Now, with the sword of the National Sports Policy hanging, the time has come for Alamgir Shaikh to take a forced break from the PBSA. It may well turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Pakistan snooker.

The PBSA has to make a decision, the sooner the better. It remains to be seen if its office-bearers will adopt a proactive approach or will they prefer playing safe by letting the enigmatic Alamgir Shaikh to make the decision himself. 

While he has made every conceivable move to perpetuate his rule within the PBSA by inducting his own family members and buddies in the new set-up which came to the fore in the last elections in 2024, the road may still be bumpy for him if the elder statesmen express their unwillingness to support Alamgir Shaikh despite the PSB advice. 

There was a time in the past when he enjoyed most cordial of relationships at the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), which takes care of the sports affairs at the national level, besides the PSB. By the look of things, he seems to have lost favour at Islamabad too which means his days at the PBSA might be over sooner than later.

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Shahram Changezi’s monumental contributions to cue sports in Pakistan

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Shahram Changezi, the highly gifted all-round cueist, has made remarkable strides in transforming the perception of snooker in Pakistan. Despite its earlier association with questionable environments at clubs, his efforts have been instrumental in elevating the cue sports’ image and making it much more respectable. 

One of the landmark contributions was his initiative to propose the establishment of Pakistan's first official Billiard and Snooker Academy at the Islamabad Sports Complex. Recognizing the immense potential of the unique idea, Shahram was appointed as the technical consultant for this project. The establishment of official snooker academy gave the sport a formal and recognized status. 

This move not only provided a structured environment for aspiring players but also helped in legitimizing snooker as a sport worthy of pursuit. Since its inception, the academy has been instrumental in producing numerous world-class players. 

Shahram’s dedication and leadership have not only honed the skills of athletes like Muhammad Asif and Hamza Akbar, who went on to win World and Asian Championships, but also elevated Pakistan's standing in international snooker competitions, yielding numerous medals. 

Not to forget that Shahram also won the Asian Games medal in 2010 by sharpening his skills in the same academy. It was last edition of Asian Games in which snooker and billiards were included which makes him as current bronze medalist of snooker in Asian Games. 

Moreover, Shahram’s unique position as an educated player within the Pakistani snooker circuit allowed him to leverage his passion and knowledge effectively. By showcasing both his skills on the table and his commitment off it, he played a crucial role in changing public perception and encouraging parental support for their children to join snooker clubs. 

His relentless efforts to establish a government-owned snooker academy have significantly impacted the youth of Pakistan, steering them away from crime and drug abuse. Recognizing snooker not only as a sport but as a powerful tool for positive change, his vision has transformed the perception of snooker, elevating it to a respected and desirable pursuit. 

Through this initiative, many young people who might have otherwise fallen into detrimental paths have found a constructive outlet and purpose in snooker, thanks to the academy's support and the government's endorsement. 

Shahram’s sustained efforts and dedication have not only popularized snooker but has also provided a much-needed alternative to the challenges faced by Pakistani youth, demonstrating the profound impact of visionary leadership on societal change. 

The establishment of the first official snooker academy in Pakistan underlines his trailblazing efforts. Subsequently, the proliferation of over 2,800 private snooker academies across the country is a testament to his influence in popularizing and patronizing the sport. This growth has even seen an increase in female participation, indicating a broader acceptance and appeal of snooker beyond its traditional boundaries. 

In a country where girls generally face significant social, cultural, and religious barriers that often restrict their opportunities for play and public participation, the establishment of a government-owned snooker academy has opened a transformative door. 

His visionary approach not only provided a platform for young women to engage in snooker but also challenged and began to dismantle the deep-seated gender discrimination they faced. By creating a space where girls could participate in snooker on equal footing with their male counterparts, Shahram's initiative has empowered them to break through societal constraints and pursue their passion without fear or restriction. 

This progressive step has not only enriched the sport but has also contributed to a broader shift towards gender equality, allowing these young women to shine in a field previously inaccessible to them. In addition to his role at the academy, his initiative in forming the Islamabad Billiards and Snooker Association (IBSA) in 2012 further solidified his commitment to nurturing local talent. 

Witnessing the inaugural elections of the IBSA was a testament to his organizational prowess and dedication to the sport. His initiatives have tremendously supported the cueists from the minority communities. 

The Rawalpindi-based Babar Masih, having earned laurels for Pakistan in the recent past, has been one of the proud products of the IBSA. 

Shahram’s unwavering passion and innovative spirit have truly set a benchmark in Pakistani sports history that no other player has ever done. His contributions have not only benefited Islamabad but have also made a significant impact on the national and international levels. He deserves to be lauded for his tireless efforts and the firm belief that his dedication will continue to inspire future generations of athletes. 

In essence, his dedication and vision have not only uplifted snooker's status but also laid the foundation for its widespread acceptance and growth in Pakistan. His role as a catalyst for change in the perception of snooker continues to resonate positively within the sporting community and beyond. Wishing him all the best in his future endeavors, may he continue to achieve great milestones and elevate the sport of Billiards and Snooker to even greater heights.

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Pakistan’s Shahram Changezi wins Texas Open Snooker Championship 2023

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Shahram Changezi, one of the most accomplished all-round cueists of Pakistan, added another feather to his cap by winning the recently concluded Texas Open Snooker Championship 2023 held in Houston, USA. 

The highly gifted decorated snooker, billiards and pool player once again made the nation in general and his institution National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) in particular proud by clinching the trophy in Texas. 

The event took place at the Q Billiards Hall in Houston and some of the top players from USA and other countries participated in it. 

Shahram overwhelmed Raed Shabib of Iraq in quarter-final before toppling Joey Torres of USA in semifinal and then outwitting India’s Ahmed Rauf 3-1 in the title clash to capture the trophy. 

Besides winning the championship, the Islamabad-based Shahram also earned the distinction of registering the highest break (89) of the keenly contested competition. 

On his same tour of USA, he also participated in the American 9-Ball Pool League in which 128 cueists from different parts of the world entered to showcase their skills and obtain a share in the prizemoney. He successfully demonstrated his skillset in 9-Ball Pool as well to secure third position.

Shahram's brilliant performance during his recent trip to USA should serve as a morale-booster for the talented Pakistani cueists who have the eagerness to compete in international competitions. 

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National Bank’s support revives Pakistan snooker

By Syed Khalid Mahmood 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Although the top officials of the sports division of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) were unable to respond to the queries concerning their high-profile consultant, Wasim Akram, a former Pakistan cricket captain, they came to the rescue of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) by sponsoring the latest edition of the Nationals which was organized at the NBP Sports Complex in Karachi from December 28 to January 3. 

In the question-answer session during its media briefing held at the Karachi Club Annexe on December 24, the NBP functionaries had politely regretted the query regarding Wasim Akram who has been associated with the bank’s sports division as consultant for the last few years with his terms and conditions or job description having been kept as ‘secrets’ by their management.

The financial support to the tune of Rupees four million provided by the bank, however, to the cash-starved PBSA enabled the cue sports body to revive their domestic events and the NBP 47th National Snooker Championship 2023 was held successfully. 

The duo of Arif Taherbhoy and Naved Kapadia once more met the challenge of managing the event at skillfully and diligently. They were duly recognized for their organizational efforts. 

Mudassir Inamullah Khan, SVP/Divisional Head, NBP, and Kamran Khalid, SVP/Wing Head NBP, had done the honours on behalf of the bank by presenting the sponsorship cheque of Rupees four million to Jawed Karim, President, PBSA, at the end of the media briefing. Ali Asghar Valika, Patron-in-Chief of PBSA, alongwith other office-bearers of the association were also present on the occasion. 

Meanwhile Rehmat Ali Hasnie, President, NBP, was the chief guest in the prsentation ceremony in which a record prizemoney of Rs 525,000 was disbursed among the top performers. He presented a handsome purse of Rs two lacs to Sultan Muhammad with the winner’s trophy while runner-up Shan Naimat was awarded Rs one lac. Shahid Aftab collected a cash award of Rs 25,000 for registering the highest break (141) of the championship. 

Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, Chairman, PBSA, in his welcome address, acknowledged the support of all the stakeholders in promoting cue sports despite the crunch situation. The top officials of the PBSA as well as the NBP sports division were in attendance during the prize distribution ceremony. 

The one-week event witnessed plethora of upsets leading to the elimination of all eight seeded cueists before the title clash in which unseeded Sultan Muhammad, belonging to Sindh, emerged triumphant over Shah Naimat, a qualifier from Islamabad, in the final. 

With the fancied cueists have exited earlier, a new national champion was set to be crowned on January 3 as both the combatants were making their maiden appearance in the final of the National Snooker Championship. 

It turned out to be a fiercely fought duel and the 40-year old Sultan Muhammad won it 7-5 with the frame scores of 69-58, 16-105, 86-24, 4-85, 21-72, 32-70, 69-30, 61-39, 56-21, 62-41, 53-66, 69-0. 

Unsurprisingly both the finalists were engaged in safety first approach for the most part of an encounter lasting nearly seven and a half hours. The 28-year-old Shan Naimat broke the shackles occasionally with a break of 95 in the second frame and then chalking up another classy break of 85 a couple of frames later.

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Alamgir Shaikh elected SABSA chief; vows to increase regional activities

Pakistan News & Features Services

The newly elected President of the South Asian Billiards Sports Association (SABSA), Alamgir Anwar Shaikh from Pakistan, has vowed to generate more activities at the regional level besides taking care of continental and global events during his tenure as its new helmsman. 

Alamgir Shaikh, who is currently the Chairman of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), was elected as the President of the SABSA for the next term of four years during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on November 30. 

A notification from the PBSA confirmed the unanimous election as the SABSA President in the AGM which was convened on the sidelines of the recently concluded 2nd SAARC Snooker Championship 2022. 

Syed Mahboob, a veteran administrator from Bangladesh, having served as the Secretary General of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) for a number of years, has been elected as Chairman of the SABSA while Muhammad Abdullah, also from Bangladesh, Sunil Bajaj from India and Ziham Hussain of Sri Lanka were elected as its Vice President, Secretary General and Treasurer respectively. 

It may be recalled that Ali Asghar Valika, a former President and the current Patron-in-Chief of the PBSA, was the Founder President of the SABSA which was established to promote billiards sports in the SAARC member countries.

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Double-edged JK bridges gap between PBSA, KC

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

It took long time coming but finally there’s a thaw in relationship between the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) and the Karachi who worked together for decades before parting ways. 

Not surprisingly Jawed H Karim, the Honorary Secretary of the Karachi Club for the current year, who is also the President of the PBSA, has seemingly played the key role in breaking the ice which obviously augurs well for the future of Pakistan snooker. 

Recuperating after a successful surgery recently, Jawed Karim, also affectionately called as JK by his friends and colleagues, has set the ball rolling once more. Under his leadership, the Karachi Club has once again ventured into doing bigger things. 

The club has already acquired as many as four snooker tables of the famed Riley Aristrocrat brand for which a fitter will be flying in from England later this month. The Riley tables are being fitted and installed with all accessories at our historic Latif Amir Bakhsh Snooker Hall and they will be ready for use next month. 

The next edition of the prestigious Haji Abdul Karim Dhehdi Inter-Club Snooker Championship, offering record high prize money, as well as the Karachi Club League Championship will now be contested on the new tables in November-December this year. 

The Karachi Club, it may be recalled, had become the headquarters of Pakistan snooker when its charismatic President, Ali Asghar Valika, set off to revive cue sports in the country after taking over the leadership of the PBSA in 1988. The club gained prominence at the global level as it hosted flurry of national and international snooker events regularly for the next couple of decades. 

Then the tragic episode of allegations and politicking took place which caused rift between the leadership of the two bodies and the club, having become synonymous with snooker, suddenly shut its doors to the PBSA. 

Jawed Karim, elected unopposed as the PBSA President in late 2020 and also voted to the key position of Secretary of the Karachi Club for the year 2022, has stepped the move to restore the relationship in the larger interest of the sport. 

Pakistan snooker will benefit a great deal with this reunion as the PBSA will have the luxury of availing the club’s unmatched facilities for holding national and international events as was the case during the days of Asghar Valika. 

The PBSA did survive the interim period by holding their events at alternate venues because they didn’t have the option of going to the club which historically had been the home to Pakistan snooker. 

Let’s see if the PBSA and the Karachi Club will revive the annual Latif Masters Championship which used to be the most prestigious national ranking competition of the year. With so little time left they may not be able to do it during the current year. Now the question is whether the new set-up at the club in the coming year will be eager to continue supporting snooker.

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Jawed Karim to represent Pakistan in Asian, world bodies AGM

Pakistan News & Features Services

The newly elected President of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), Jawed Karim, will be representing the country for the first time at the continental as well as the global body of cue sports next month. 

Having served the PBSA in various capacities, including Senior Vice President, he has now been elected unopposed as for the term of next four years. 

The PBSA media spokesman has announced that Jawed Karim will be attending the annual general meetings (AGM) of the Asian Confederation of Biliards Sports (ACBS) as well as the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF), scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, on September 16 and 17 respectively. 

The AGMs of the ACBS and the IBSF will be taking place on the sidelines of the twin events, the ACBS 36th Asian Men Snooker Championship 2021 and the IBSF Qatar 6-Red Snooker World Cup 2021 being hosted by the Qatar Billiards & Snooker Association (QBSA). 

Meanwhile the PBSA has selected Muhammad Asif, a former world champion, and Babar Masih to represent Pakistan in both the events while Haris Tahir has been chosen as stand-by cueist.

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Alamgir Shaikh, friends celebrate father of Pakistan snooker’s birthday party

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Ali Asghar Valika, acclaimed as the father of Pakistan snooker, was pleasantly surprised when a group of his prodigies, spearheaded by Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, arranged a luncheon party to celebrate his birthday party at the Karachi Club Annexe on September 2. 

Asghar Valika, credited to have revived snooker and taken it to another level, is currently Chairman of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA). 

He was elected unopposed as the PBSA President for five successive terms, from 1988 to 2008. 

Although it was an unofficial party of friends but it turned out to be the get-together of the PBSA top officials with Alamgir Anwar Shaikh (Co-Chairman), Munawwar Hussain Shaikh (President) and Zulfiqar Ali Ramzi (Secretary), Irfan Moten (Treasurer) and Shariq Vohra (Member, Executive Committee) in attendance alongwith other office-bearers of the governing body of cue sports in the country. 

The soft spoken Asghar Valika, having turned 73, was delighted to be surrounded by his friends who wished him long life with immaculate health. Alamgir Shaikh, the motivating force behind organizing the birthday party, was mighty pleased with the occasion as he led the prayers for longevity of their beloved mentor whom he described as a source of constant motivation.

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Rampaging Asif comes from behind to edge out Shahid in epic national final

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The mercurial Muhammad Asif, easily the greatest cueist to be produced by the country in the recent past, continued his march towards glory by regaining the national crown yet again. 

The top seeded cueist, also the reigning world champion, came from behind in the final against unseeded Shahid Aftab to win the Jubilee Insurance 45th National Snooker Championship 2020 at the Karachi Gymkhana on February 12. It’s the fourth time he has won the Nationals, having done it earlier in 2009, 2012 and 2018. 

It was an all-Faisalabad final as both the cueists, living in close vicinity of each other in the industrial city, had outsmarted their opponents in the earlier matches to set a date for the title clash. 

The final, telecast live on Geo Super, lasted no less than six hours without any break. The snooker fans, all over the world, got the opportunity of watching an epic final between two seasoned campaigners. 

The 38-year-old Shahid looked the obvious favourite to reclaim the trophy when he ran into 6-2 and then 7-3 lead in the best of 15-frame final but the 37-year-old Asif staged magnificent comeback from the brink of disaster to win the contest 8-7 with the scores of 21-69, 80-73, 67-20, 26-49, 42-77, 25-106, 35-69, 1-76, 116-0, 88-2, 0-107, 78-32, 72-35, 62-48, 70-28. 

Shahid drew the first blood by winning the opening frame. He was set to double his lead until Asif chalked up a break of 69 to snatch the second frame. Asif moved ahead with another fine break of 63 in the third frame but Shahid, quite remarkably, won the next five frames to go into a commanding 6-2 lead. Asif narrowed the deficit by securing the ninth frame but Shahid produced an excellent break 85 in the very next frame to go 7-3 up. 

Shahid needed at this stage was just one more frame but Asif didn’t let it happen with a mixture of good fortune and incredible resilience. Slowly but surely Asif got into his elements and there was hardly any doubt about the outcome when the two cueists entered the arena for the decisive 15th frame of a marathon final. 

“Oh yes there were times during the final when I thought it might not be my day and Shahid could run away with the title. But I also held a firm belief that my opponent could make an odd mistake here or there to let me provide the opening I needed and, as everybody saw, he did play a few false strokes and I was back in business,” Asif remarked. 

“Experience of taking the game deep comes handy as this quality is not built overnight, no matter how talented the cueist may be. I have also learnt it after toiling hard for so many years and the ability to absorb pressure indeed has become my forte now,” he added. 

“I played to the best of my ability and came very close to regaining the national title after nearly a decade. But Asif played better than me in the end and he capitalized on my mistakes to change the course of the match,” Shahid said rather sportingly. 

"No, I was not overawed by the reputation of my opponent or anything like it. Simply I had to pay the price of committing the mistakes which I could have avoided. May be I was little eager to go for the kill which resulted in playing shots which could have been avoided,” he reckoned. 

The final, going to the full distance of 15 frames, was followed by the prize distribution ceremony, also beamed live, in which Syed Usman Qaiser, Head of Marketing, Jubilee Life Insurance, and Tauseef Shah, Head of Marketing, Jubilee General Insurance, presented awards to the outstanding performers. 

Both the dignitaries vowed to extend support for snooker in future as well as they praised the inspirational performance of the Pakistani cueists at the international level, earning laurels for the country. 

A beaming Asif collected a cheque of Rupees one lac alongwith the winner’s trophy while Shahid received a cheque of Rupees fifty thousand with the runner-up trophy.  

Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, Co-Chairman, Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), described Asif as a living legend. 

“Besides winning the World Championship a couple of times now Asif has also clinched the national title four times and he fully deserves to be regarded as modern snooker legend,” Alamgir Shaikh commended. 

Munawwar Hussain Shaikh, President, PBSA, announced that both Asif and Shahid, by virtue of being the finalists of the Nationals 2020, will now be representing the country in the upcoming Asian Snooker Championship. 

Fawad Malik, President, Karachi Gymkhana, promised to continue supporting the cause of snooker and other sports from the platform of the club.

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World champion Asif threatens to quit snooker

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Frustrated by the continued delay and red-tapism in the release of his governmental reward, Muhammad Asif, the reigning world snooker champion, has threatened to quit the sport.

The top officials of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), lending support to their proud product, have talked about taking legal action if the reward amount was not released.

In a dramatic turn of the events, all the participating cueists in the quarter-finals of the Jubilee Insurance 45th National Snooker Championship 2020 sported a black armband to protest against the delay in the release of payment to Asif on February 10. 

Upon the completion of the quarter-finals, Asif, flanked by the top functionaries of the PBSA, addressed the media corps, present on the occasion at the Karachi Gymkhana’s Banquet Hall. 

Initially Asif appeared cool and calm while seeking his due reward of Rs 10 million from the government which had been promised to him by head of the state. 

Apparently he seemed to have been provoked by some teasing queries leading to the change in his tone and body language. 

When asked specifically, during the media briefing, if he would burn his cue, if the reward money was not paid to him, Asif, after some reluctance, opened up and expressed his disgust at having been made to run from pillar to post for the amount the government owed to him. 

“I was not given the due amount when I became the world champion in 2012. Now I have won the world title again last year but still waiting for the reward money to be released from the government. The athletes should not be treated like this as they make a lot of efforts and sacrifices for performing well and bringing laurels to the country,” Asif stated. 

“If the attitude of the government doesn’t change when perhaps I will stop playing snooker at national or international level in near future. I will be left with no other option than to announce retirement from snooker. If I don’t get the due reward then there will be no point in continue playing snooker,” he warned. 

The PBSA President, Munawwar Hussain Shaikh, who is a lawyer by profession, didn’t rule the possibilities of taking the matter to court if Asif’s reward was not released. 

The PBSA Co-Chairman, Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, shared that the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, had himself given the assurance for the release of due payment during their meeting in Islamabad a few weeks ago. 

“We have been knocking at the doors of the concerned departments from the moment Asif had made the country proud by bringing home the world title for the second time last year. We have approached the Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, Dr Fehmida Mirza, as well the Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is a sportsman himself, but we are still waiting,” he explained. 

“The protest of today is meant to basically serve another reminder to the concerned authorities to release the reward money to Asif, the two times world champion,” Alamgir Shaikh declared. 

When inquired about the next possible move, if the payment was further delayed, the PBSA Co-Chairman hinted at holding protest meetings in Islamabad too.

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Jubilee General’s new boss pledges to carry on legacy of predecessor’s sporting legacy

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The newly installed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jubilee General Insurance, Hassan Khan, has pledged to carry out the sporting legacy left by his predecessor, Tahir Ahmed, whose illustrious career at the company came to an end on December 31, 2019. 

On the very first day of taking over the leadership of the company on January 1, 2020, Hassan Khan was needed to deliberate on his sports policies during the media launch of the new snooker season, with as many as five national snooker events, being sponsored by Jubilee Insurance, taking place during the next one and a half months. 

“Jubilee has been the major sponsors of Pakistan snooker for the past 13 years. We are proud to have played our due role in uplift of cue sports, resulting in glories for the country at the international level. We look forward to continue extending the support to snooker in future too,” he declared while speaking at the luncheon media briefing at the Karachi Gymkhana Banquet Hall on the New Year Day. 

When specifically questioned whether he would continue the policies of his immediate predecessor, Tahir Ahmed, who was proactive in the promotion of sports over the years, Hassan Khan replied in the affirmative and announced his desire to perpetuate the legacy. 

He acknowledged that the modest prize money, being offered to the outstanding performers of the various tournaments at the moment, merited enhancement in the future. 

Replying to another question, he, however, ruled out the possibilities of offering employment to the cueists at his company, explaining that no such policy had ever been under consideration in board meetings. 

Jubilee Insurance, it may be recalled, had joined hands with the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) in a big way, by having sponsored the 24th ACBS Asian Snooker Championship at Karachi in 2007 when the national snooker body was being led by Ali Asghar Valika. 

From the following year onwards they took up the sponsorship of the national ranking tournaments as well and the relationship became stronger and wider with the passage of time. 

They have been the major sponsors of snooker in Pakistan for the past one decade and during this period they have been motivating force in launching the tournaments for the teenagers and schoolboys in particular in the recent past. 

Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, Co-Chairman, PBSA, recognized the overwhelming support of Jubilee Insurance, whose continued patronage, he added, helped enormously in raising the standard of snooker. 

"Both the twin companies, Jubilee General Insurance and Jubilee Life Insurance, have been extremely supportive to the cause of snooker for the past 13 years and they deserve to be credited for the glories our cueists have earned for the country over the past decade and a half,” he added. 

"The new helmsman of Jubilee General Insurance, Hassan Khan, is also very eager to support the cause of snooker and the sponsorship budget for the current year (2020) has been approved by him," Alamgir Shaikh disclosed.

Meanwhile the new snooker season will dawn with the Jubilee Insurance 2nd Under-16 National Snooker Championship 2020 on January 4 and it will be followed by the Jubilee Insurance 5th Under-18 National Snooker Championship 2020, the Jubilee Insurance 12th Under-21 National Snooker Championship 2020 and the Jubilee Insurance 4th Over-40 National Masters Snooker Championship 2020. 

All these events will be staged at the PSB Sports Complex in Islamabad while the Jubilee Insurance 45th National Snooker Championship 2020 will be taking place at the Karachi Gymkhana from January 31 to February 12.

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Jubilee looking for longer partnership with snooker

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
Pakistan News & Features Services)

Jubilee Insurance, who teamed up with the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) more than a decade ago, looked forward to extending its sponsorship support into the future as well. 

Tahir Ahmed, Managing Director, Jubilee General Insurance, while speaking as the chief guest in the prize distribution of the 3rd Jubilee Insurance Ranking Snooker Championship 2019 recently at the Karachi Gymkhana, hinted at continuing their support to snooker in the coming years. 

The insurance giants had initially joined hands with the PBSA in a big way, by having sponsored the 24th ACBS Asian Snooker Championship at Karachi in 2007 when the national snooker body was being led by Ali Asghar Valika. 

From the following year onwards they took up the sponsorship of the national ranking tournaments as well and the relationship became stronger and wider with the passage of time. 

They have been the major sponsors of snooker in Pakistan for the past one decade and during this period they have been motivating force in launching the tournaments for the teenagers and schoolboys in particular in the recent past. 

Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, Co-Chairman, PBSA, while acknowledging the cooperation of all the stakeholders in the transformation of snooker as one of the most popular sports of the country, lavished the sponsors for their continued patronage. 

“Now-a-days no sport can flourish or even survive without the sponsorship support. We have been very fortunate in this regard and this has been the single most significant factor to have contributed in the development of cue sports in Pakistan. They have enabled us to keep going despite the challenges we were up against. And we have responded by strengthening and expanding the game,” the former PBSA President stated. 

“We are committed to continuing our mission and we look forward to the government support as well as to the sponsors in the private sector to achieve our mutual objective of putting Pakistan snooker right on top,” Alamgir Shaikh concluded.

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Asif edges out Sajjad to win Jubilee Ranking tourney

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

Top seeded Muhammad Asif played like a true champion to edge out old adversary Muhammad Sajjad in the final of the 3rd Jubilee Insurance Ranking Snooker Championship 2019 at the Karachi Gymkhana on October 17. 

The 2012 world champion had to bring all his expertise and experience into play to tame Sajjad 7-4 in the best of 13-frame final with the scores of 61-53, 64-63, 36-78, 13-89, 83-27, 11-54, 38-61, 69-49, 69-64, 55-13, 68-14. 

As expected, the title clash between the two vastly experienced cueists, possessing big match temperament, turned out to be an absorbing contest despite Asif enjoying psychological advantage over Sajjad, whom he had also outwitted in the preliminary rounds. 

The 37-year-old Asif, hailing from the industrial town of Faisalabad, had to bring all his expertise besides reserve energy into play to overcome the 33-year-old Sajjad, belonging to Sargodha, has been a former world number two. 

The match lasted no less than four and a half hours. Asif, who looked supremely confident throughout the match, was delighted to have regained the trophy on the eve of the IBSF World Championship, hoping that he will be extending his brilliant form at the international stage. 

Sajjad, who has been crowned as the national champion as many as three times since his sensational entry more than a decade ago, vowed to continue working hard for achieving more glories in future. 

Asif and Sajjad, the two of the most gifted cueists of the country, produced another game of pedigree, as anticipated, in the final. Asif did win the first couple of frames but he was made to work very hard for it. 

It was a matter of time for Sajjad to open his account and he did it in the third frame by compiling a break of 57. He sustained the momentum to win the fourth frame which equalized the match. 

Asif put his nose in front by taking fifth frame but Sajjad made it three-all by running away with the sixth frame and moved ahead, for the first time, by pocketing the seventh frame with the help of a break of 61. 

More tense battle followed in the next couple of frames but Asif was fortunate to get away with it on both occasions and he made it count by winning the next two frames as well to seal the fate of the match. 

The final was followed by the prize distribution ceremony in which Tahir Ahmed, Managing Director, Jubilee General Insurance, was the chief guest. He presented a cheque of Rs one lac alongwith the winner’s trophy to Muhammad Asif. 

Speaking on the occasion, Tahir Ahmed expressed his delight at the performance of the seasoned campaigners who managed to overcome the rising stars of the country. 

Syed Usman Qaiser, Marketing Head, Jubilee Life Insurance, awarded the cash prize of Rs 40,000 alongwith the runner-up trophy to Muhammad Sajjad while Fawad Malik, President, Karachi Gymkhana, gave away a cash reward of Rs 5,000 to Muhammad Naseem Akhtar for registering the highest break (134) of the one-week championship. 

The total prize money disbursed was Rs195,000 as Muhammad Bilal and Sohail Shahzad, the losing semifinalists, got Rs 15,000 each and the quarter of losing quarter-finalists, Muhammad Ijaz, Asjad Iqbal, Abdul Sattar and Babar Masih, received Rs 5,000 each. 

Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, Co-Chairman, Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), during his brief remarks, acknowledged the support of all the stakeholders in the transformation of snooker as one of the most popular sports of the country. 

He reckoned that the emergence of talented youngsters has prompted the old guard to stay on their toes and seek continued improvement for success even at the national level.

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Pakistan snooker to benefit with Alamgir Shaikh-Fehmida Mirza meeting

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), enduring financial hardships, has a reason to smile at last as they have been assured of revival of the governmental support by the top officials at the federal level.

Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, Co-Chairman, PBSA, expressed delight at the outcome of his recent meeting with Dr Fehmida Mirza, Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), in Islamabad on April 29. 

“The Minister was briefed of the present problems and difficulties being faced by the PBSA, which was in a critical financial situation, due to the non-release of the annual and special grants from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the IPC Ministry for the current financial year 2018 – 2019,” Alamgir Shaikh revealed. 

“She was also informed that we had exhausted almost all our funds, as the PSB had not released any financial assistance for the past 11 months, starting from July 2018, due to which the association is unable to disburse the monthly honorarium to the top eight senior players and the top four junior players of the Pakistan snooker circuit besides facing financial difficulty to meet the administrative expenses pertaining to the PBSA secretariat,” he added. 

“Further she was apprised of the worst financial situation being faced by the Association due to funds already incurred for the participation of the Pakistan team from its own resources for the World and Asian events, held during July to December 2018 and if the funds for the current financial year were not released before June 30 the funds might lapse and as such the association may not be able to function,” the PBSA Co-Chairman shared. 

The Minister was informed that the PBSA had fulfilled the requirement for submission of its audited accounts for the year ending June 30, 2018 to the PSB. 

The Minister assured the PBSA Co-Chairman that the federal government was in the process of uplifting the standards of sports in the country and due to the 18th constitutional amendment the Ministry had made the provincial governments responsible for promotion and development of sports in their respective provinces and as such the Prime Minister had constituted a Task Force for making recommendations to revamp the Sports system of the country. 

The Minister explained that as the National Sports Federations were autonomous bodies and generate their own funds and also receive government grants through the PSB and the Task Force has categorized the sports federations who have achieved better results and the categorization will be carried out by sports technocrats, based popularity of the game, status of the game at national level and prospects for medal winning. 

The Minister further stated that the representatives of the national sports federation would be called for a meeting to finalize the allocation of funds, which will be forwarded to the Prime Minister for approval, after which the grants would be released to the national federations. 

The PBSA Co-Chairman after his meeting with the Minister IPC, also met the Secretary Sports IPC, Akbar Durrani, and briefed him about the present difficult financial situation of the Association and also about the participation of the Pakistan snooker team in the upcoming international events.

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Asghar Valika expects top performance from Pakistani cueists in Asian Tour Event

By Syed Khalid Mahmood
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

The Chairman of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika, expects Pakistan’s cueists to bring home more laurels as they prepared to leave the shores of the country to participate in the second stage of the ACBS/IBSF Asian Tour Snooker Tournament being held under the auspices of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) with the blessings of the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF). 

According to the details made available by the PBSA Secretariat, the trio of Muhammad Bilal, Babar Masih and Haris Tahir was set to fly out from Lahore to Jinan, China, on October 26.

The event is being hosted by the Chinese Billiards & Snooker Association (CBSA) from October 28 to 31. 

The total prize money the event will be U$$40,000 with the winner to receive US$12,000 and the runner-up to get US$6,000. 

The top 24 cueists which include the IBSF and regional snooker players will participate in this tour, together with the Asian champions of 2018. 

The Pakistan players have  qualified in this ACBS/IBSF Asian Tour of 2018 on the basis of their performances in the ACBS events of 2018. Muhammad Bilal was the losing semifinalists in the Asian Snooker Championship 2018 while Babar Masih was the losing semifinalist in Asian 6-Red Snooker Championship 2018 and Haris Tahir ended as the runner-up in the Asian Under-21 Snooker Championship 2018. 

The PBSA Chairman reckoned that Muhammad Bilal, one of the premier cueists of the country, has made Pakistan proud by having emerged triumphant in the opening round of the event, staged at the QBSF Snooker Academy in Doha, Qatar, from September 26 to 29, which earned a handsome purse of US$12,000 with the trophy. 

“Bilal has got off to a dream start in the Asian Tour Event and he has a golden chance of emulating his feat. He has shown that he can handle the pressure of big matches and here is another opportunity for him to collect a fabulous purse again,” Asghar Valika observed in a brief chat at the Karachi Club Annexe. 

“Bilal’s performance is a source of inspiration to the whole lot. The confidence of Babar and Haris has been boosted by the title win of Bilal in Doha and they can make it count in the Chinese city of Jinan. I wish all three the best of luck,” the PBSA Chairman concluded.

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