August 20, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 17, 1429

KARACHI, Aug 19: The NJI Pentangular 6-Red Snooker team series which gets into action at the Karachi Club from Wednesday will go into the annals of the game as Pakistan became only the second nation in Asia after Thailand to host the shortest version of sport.

The details of the event which carries a total prize money of 250,000 rupees were unfolded by the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) president, Asghar Valika, at a press conference held at Karachi Club on Tuesday.

Besides Pakistan, teams from Thailand, India, UAE and Bahrain will be vying for glory in the three-day contest which concludes on Friday. The hosts are fielding two teams.

Captained by former national champion Naveen Perwani, the ‘A’ team includes Khurram Agha and Saleh Mohammad. Vishan Gir leads the ‘B’ team which comprised Qasim Kamani and Sultan Mohammad.

A three-member UAE team also reached here Tuesday afternoon from Dubai. The members of the team are Salim Al Salim, Salim bin Dheeban and Humaid Al Dharmaki.

The Indian squad which has in its fold celebrities Yasin Merchant, Pankaj Advani and Manan Chandra had already arrived in the city the other day.

The remaining two outfits Thailand and Bahrain are due to arrive Tuesday night.

The teams have been equally drawn in two groups. Group ‘A’ will have Pakistan ‘A’, UAE and Bahrain while group ‘B’ consists of India, Thailand and Pakistan ‘B’.

According to format, teams securing highest points from each group will qualify for the final.

The insurance firm has struck a sponsorship deal with the games controlling body which amounts to 1.8 million rupees. The hosts are providing air tickets, boarding and lodging at a five star hotel to the foreign teams. The winning team gets Rs1,50,000 while the runners-up will fetch Rs1,00,000.

Tahir Ahmed, a top official of NJI, also spoke on the occasion and extends his continuous support to the baize game. He has, however, not yet fulfilled his promise of providing a job to Khurram Agha which he had announced at the finals of 23rd Asian Snooker championship in the city last year. Khurram secured third place in the event.

Wednesday’s fixtures:

India v Pakistan ‘B’ at 11.00am; Pakistan ‘A’ v Bahrain at 2.00pm; Thailand v Pakistan ‘B’ at 5.00pm.