KARACHI, Sept 3: Reigning champion Naveen Perwani will be facing a stiff challenge to retain his title in the 17th Latif Masters Snooker bhampionship being held at Karachi Club Billiards Hall from Sept 21 to 26.

Country’s top-notch cueists will be featuring the last and biggest prize money event of Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) calendar.

The event offers a cash purse of Rs 240,000 with winner taking home Rs 100,000 and runners-up collects Rs 60,000.

Naveen defeated Khurram Agha in marathon 13 frames contest to claim the title. Besides Khurram, Pakistan number two Saleh and Muhammad Yousuf are tipped to battle for honours.

Khurram being Pakistan number one is top seed for the championship. Saleh Muhammad is seeded two, Muhammad Yousuf three and Naveen Perwani is seed number four.

The event will also serve as build-up for Khurram Agha and Saleh as they will be representing Pakistan in World Snooker Championship being held at Jian Ming (China) from Oct 12.

The 16 cuemen are placed in two pools and top two from each group will advance in the semifinal which will be played on Sept 25 while final will be contested on Sept 26.

Pool “A” comprised Khurram Hussain Agha (KPT), Naveen Perwani (Sindh), Atiq Latif Bakhsh (KPT), Shakeel Bhatti (SIndh), Arifullah (NWFP), Muhammad Faiq Malik (Punjab), Muhammad Nazir (Punjab) and Rambel Gul (NWFP).

Saleh Muhammad (KPT) with former world amateur champion Muhammad Yousuf (KPT) are drawn in group “B” with Imran Shahzad (Punjab), Farhan Mirza (Punjab), Vishan Gir (Sindh), Amit Parwani (Sindh) and Abu Saim (Punjab).—APP