June 17, 2007	Sunday	Jumadi-us-Sani 01, 1428

KARACHI, June 16: Winner of the 23rd Asian Snooker Championship will earn a ticket to Hong Kong where he represents a formidable four-member Asia against Europe in a snooker series planned in the middle of next month.

“The series which carries rich prize money of Pounds 100,000 is a part of the tenth anniversary of Hong Kong’s independence from the British colonial rule,” President of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS), Sindhu Pulsirivong, told Dawn on Saturday.

An engineer by profession, Pulsirivong said China’s bright star Ding Jin Hue who is ranked 6-7 in the world, will spearhead Asia.

He captured the world U-21 title at the age of 16 in addition to claiming a gold medal at the Busan Asian Games.

The two other members already selected include celebrity James Wattana (Thailand) and Marco Fu (Hong Kong).

Pulsirivong, 72, disclosed four past world champions will represent Europe in the series.

Meanwhile, he paid rich tributes to the PBSA President Asghar Valika for promoting the baize game in the region. “It’s not only staging the tournament but the get together of players and officials that builds up friendship,” he said.