Hamza will return to UK soon: PBSA president

KARACHI: Pakistan’s professional cueist Hamza Akbar is expected to return to the United Kingdom soon, as his application for visa renewal was submitted at the British High Commission in Islamabad on Friday.

Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) president Alamgir Anwar Shaikh informed ‘The News’ that the visa process might take one week. “Hamza, having returned home recently on the expire of his UK visa, was granted an audience at the British High Commission in Islamabad earlier today where he has submitted the application for renewal. He was communicated that the papers would be sent to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE),” the PBSA president revealed.

“The PBSA is right behind him and we are doing everything to ensure that he has a hassle-free time there to concentrate fully on his career. There’s no question of him being short of funds. He had to come back to fulfill the requirement for the renewal of visa,” Alamgir said.

The PBSA president stayed optimistic about getting the cash award for Hamza, promised by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC).

“The reward for winning the Asian Games gold medal has been delayed but we have been assured by the IPC functionaries that it will be released soon,” he added.

Faisalabad-born Hamza, having clinched the national championship a couple of times, created sensations by winning the Asian Championship at the age of 22 when he outwitted former world champion Pankaj Advani in Kuala Lumpur last year.

The Asian conquest earned him a two-year card for the main snooker tour beginning with the 2015/2016 season.