November 03, 2006	Friday	Shawwal 10, 1427

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KARACHI, Nov 2: Pakistani cueists are tipped to do well in the World Amateur Snooker Championship which breaks off in Amman, Jordan, from Sunday. “The cueists have gone through a strenuous drill under the supervision of England-based Shaukat Ali and are looking forward to meeting the challenge,” manager Alamgir Shaikh said on the eve of team’s departure on Thursday.

The three players leave for the Jordanian capital early Friday morning. National champion Khurram Agha and Latif Masters winner Naveen Perwani will compete in the amateur event while former world amateur champion Mohammad Yousuf will feature in seniors’ competition.

Veteran Sarwar Siddiqui who was scheduled to contest in seniors’ event is not going owing to some domestic problem.

Naveen has staged a comeback in the World Championship squad after 11-years, the last time he appeared was in 1995. This will be his fourth appearance in the world event.

Alamgir termed the camp training as ‘beneficial’ for the players who have overcome their shortcomings.

Pakistani players, he said, have the capability to beat any top class player of the world on a given day. He rated players of England, Wales, Ireland, China, Thailand, India, Pakistan and UAE as strong contenders for winning the world title.

The players have been drawn into eight groups and four each from respective groups will make it to the knock out stage. The championship concludes on Nov 15.