August 24, 2006	Thursday	Rajab 28, 1427

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KARACHI, Aug 23: The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) on Tuesday called upon the Doha Asian Games-bound probables to train rigorously for bringing laurels to the nation.

‘The players have a lot of potential and after honing skills under a foreign coaches they can deliver the goods,’ PBSA president, Asghar Valika, told Dawn after a pep talk with players at Karachi Club.

He said the government has assured to provide financial assistance to the tune of Rs2 million to PBSA in preparation for Asiad after the sport had made waves globally.

The PBSA chief asked the players to make them available for two months camp which is scheduled to begin in the third week of Sept in Karachi and culminate at Islamabad.

‘We plan to send a strong squad to bring maximum number of medals in billiards, snooker and pool and live up to the expectations of the nation. The better results can guarantee further support from the government,’ he remarked.

He said PBSA also approached England-based Shaukat Ali to be part of Pakistan team but he declined due to his other professional commitments.

Shaukat had done Pakistan proud by capturing a gold medal after the baize game became medal sport at Bangkok in 1998. In the same event Pakistan also managed to get a silver and a bronze.

Pakistan team returned with two bronze from Busan in 2002.

‘PBSA in considering to give wild card to Sweden-based Farhan Mirza and former world No 2 Saleh Mohammad considering their track record’, he said. After skipping two back to back tournaments, the latter has slipped to 24th slot in the national ranking.

He made it clear that the selection of team will be held later.