Snooker is probably the only sport in Pakistan which is bringing glory to the country every year. After remarkable performances by Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Sajjad at the top level, Pakistan has found another hero in Hamza Akbar. Hamza, who became Pakistan’s youngest national champion in 2013, won Asian Snooker Championship last week and qualified for the professional league.

On his return home after Asian Snooker Championship, Hamza spoke exclusively to The News on Sunday about his childhood, his journey to become the Asian Champion and his goals.

Excerpts from the interview:

The News on Sunday:  Tell us about your journey from a kid to the Asian Champion?

Hamza Akbar: I was very young when I started playing Snooker. I was so small that I had to put a small table to stand on so that I could reach the snooker table’s height. It was in 2008 when I was playing with friends in a club in Faisalabad that I was spotted by the club’s owner Haji Akram, who told me that I should aim at playing at the top level.

He referred me to snooker coach Bilal Mughal who taught me everything from holding cue-stick to potting the ball and from breaking snooker to playing safe shots. Since then I haven’t looked back.

TNS: Was your family supportive of your snooker addiction?

HA: My mother is a traditional mom. She was supportive of everything I aimed to do, but she wanted me to concentrate on my studies. My paternal uncle supported me a lot to continue my snooker. I have achieved some of my goals in the field of snooker, but I regret leaving my studies incomplete.

TNS: Are you planning to complete your studies now?

HA: I am preparing myself for taking my intermediate exams. In fact, I carry my academic books with me wherever I go. Whenever I get ample time, I will apply for examinations.

TNS: How has snooker helped you in your life?

HA: Snooker is all about concentration, keeping your eyes on your target, on your goals. Snooker taught me that life is all about controlling your nerves. It has made me different from the other boys of my age and I am proud of it.

TNS: Tell us about your path to win the title in Asian Championship?

HA: I didn’t start well; I lost my games initially and at a time I wasn’t even looking sure to qualify. The tables we got there were surprising for us because we were expecting our matches on Shender’s tables but the organisers held matches on Viraka’s tables, so it wasn’t easy for us to adjust there. I contacted my coach in Faisalabad via video link and told him about ball positioning and table conditions. He passed me a few tips which really helped. I continued to follow my coach’s instructions and thanks to Allah, I won the title for Pakistan.

TNS: You were playing against Pankaj Advani, India’s top cueist. How did you manage the pressure?

HA: I was just considering that I was playing against a cueist from India, forgetting that the player I was facing was a seasoned one. But the final frame was very crucial, when I was 50 points down and Pankaj needed only two balls, but I didn’t lose hope and went for clearance to win the final. I still believe that Pankaj is a better player than me; he has won more titles than me; but on that day I played better than him.

TNS: What is your next target?

HA: I have now qualified for the professional circuit and InshaAllah I will enter pro circuit in July. I request the government to help me financially so that I can participate in two years’ circuit in professional, which will cost around 4 million rupees. I am confident that I can keep Pakistan’s flag high in professional circuit as well.

TNS: Pakistani cueists have won several titles in the last few years, but the government hasn’t adequately rewarded them. Is it discouraging?

HA: It is very discouraging. Mohammad Asif won the IBSF World Championship in 2012, but he has not got the reward money he deserved. Every player has this question in his mind; there is a big question mark on government’s attitude towards athletes who have been raising Pakistan’s flag everywhere. But still our priority is always to keep Pakistan flag high and we will continue doing that. We have always requested the government and sports board to release the grant we deserve under sports policy to keep players’ confidence high. It is our right.

TNS: What steps do you suggest for the betterment of snooker?

HA: Snooker in Pakistan has got much talent at the grassroots level. Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association is doing its best to bring that talent out and they’ve a very good mechanism in place for picking the talent. You will see snooker clubs in almost every vicinity of Pakistan, which shows that snooker is a popular sport in the country.

There are some misconceptions about Snooker which need to be addressed properly. Some parents think that snooker clubs are gambling dens, which is not true. I think media, PBSA and players all must do something to clear this misconception.

TNS: What is your ultimate target?

HA: I want to be Pakistan’s Ronnie O’Sullivan. I have always idolised him and my aim is to break all of his records. From most century breaks to the most number of maximum-147-breaks in the career. Another thing I am very desperate to do in my life is to learn driving a car and whenever I get time from snooker and studies, first thing to do for me will be to learn driving.