KARACHI, July 5: President, Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika has suggested to Minister of Sports to announce cash incentives for medal winner before the XVI Asian Games being held in Busan (Korea) from September 30.

“This gesture will not only encourage the players to bring out their best and beyond

themselves” he said in letter address to Minister of Sports Col (Retd) S.K,Tressler copy of which was made available Friday.

Valika said that while Thailand and Indian government have announced equivalent of Rs 500,000, 300,000 and 200,000 each for gold, silver and bronze medal winner for the Busan Asian Games.

He informed the Minister that out of the two gold medals won by Pakistan in the last Asian Games at Bangkok, Shokat Ali won the individual gold in snooker in addition to two bronze.

Asghar Valika said although the PBSA as well as our players were very proud to have won these laurels for Pakistan but our achievements were short lived as there was no incentives announced for players by the Government.

He expressed the hope that his suggestion will receive sympathetic consideration and wait for welcome announcement before the Asiad.

In the meantime PBSA has picked Khurram Hussain Agha of Sindh and Imran Shahzad to receive ten-day coaching at the World Snooker Association’s Asian Centre of Excellence (ACE) from July 15 to 24.

England leading world renowned snooker coach Barry Stark will supervise the coaching with two former Thai World Amateur Snooker Champion Chuchart and Sakchai.

WSA launched ACE last year to impart quality coaching to talented and promising snooker players in Asia.—APP