PSB releases Rs1.5 million for Hamza

KARACHI: The Islamabad-based Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has released the cash award of Rs1.5 million for Hamza Akbar, the country’s premier cueist for winning the Asian Snooker Championship last year.

The cheque has been received by the PBSA from the PSB and delivered to Hamza, Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) president Alamgir Anwar Shaikh informed ‘The News’ here on Tuesday.

“The PBSA desires to place on record its deep appreciation to the Federal Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Riaz Hussain Pirzada for this recognition of the Asian snooker title, which will go a long way in encouraging the association to promote cue sports in Pakistan. The act will motivate our snooker players to perform even better,” he noted.

Hamza, having turned professional, is awaiting renewal of his visa for returning to the United Kingdom where he will be participating in several events.

He filed his application in person for visa renewal at the British High Commission in Islamabad last week and has been informed that the process could take eight to 10 days.

The Faisalabad-born cueist created a sensation by winning the Asian Championship at the age of 22 when he outwitted India’s former world champion Pankaj Advani in the final last year which earned him a two-year card for the main snooker tour beginning with the 2015/2016 season.

“The PBSA has been right behind him all along, having done everything to ensure that he’s having a hassle-free time there to concentrate fully on his game,” Alamgir said.