PBSA chief seeks snooker’s inclusion in National Games

LAHORE: The Chairman of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), Mr. Alamgir A. Shaikh the other day attended a seminar on the National Sports Policy 2024–2029, organised by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) in Islamabad.

During his visit, Shaikh held important meetings with the Director General PSB, Yasir Pirzada and the Secretary of Sports of IPC, Irshad Nadeem Kayani, discussing several critical issues related to the future of snooker and sports in Pakistan.

Shaikh expressed optimism about the outcomes of the seminar, which aims to promote and elevate the standard of sports nationwide. Key points of discussion included the National Sports Policy 2024–2029, snooker’s inclusion in the National Games, and the establishment of snooker academies across major cities.

Among the major requests, Shaikh urged the PSB to address the long-standing issue of awarding prize money for Pakistan’s snooker players based on their medal tally from 2019 to 2024, where players won 8 gold, 9 silver, and 16 bronze medals.

He also emphasised the need for snooker’s inclusion in the 35th National Games, scheduled for 2024 in Karachi, to further promote the sport. Additionally, the PBSA Chairman requested approval to hold the National Junior U-17 and U-21 Snooker Championships at the PSB Sports Complex in Islamabad and sought permission to hire international snooker coach, Mr. Vahedi from Iran, to train Pakistani players.