KARACHI: Faisalabad-born Hamza Akbar, who became the second Pakistani cueist to win the Asian snooker title on Thursday, declared that playing the professional league in England was his next target.

“By virtue of winning the Asian title, I’ve qualified to play the professional league for two years starting this July. The participation requires a budget of approximately Rs 3.0 to 3.5 million for the entire duration and I’m confident that with the help of country game’s controlling body and well-wishers, I can achieve the task,” he told Dawn on return from Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

He termed the victory a dream come true and attributed it to the prayers of his parents, guidance of his coach Bilal Mughal and his uncle Haji Akram who motivated him to pick up the baize game in 2008.

Describing the final against Indian sensation Pankaj Advani whom he defeated 7-6, he said it was a tense moment, adding that the Indian had secured a 50 points lead in the 13th and decisive frame with four red balls on the table when he (Hamza) got the chance and from there he narrowed the gap to eventually clear the table.

Pankaj who had 19 international titles under his belt of both billiards and snooker, congratulated Hamza and told him: “You played well and deserved to win”.

The Asian title is the only one that has eluded Pankaj in his illustrious career. Earlier, he had lost the final to his compatriot Aditya Mehta at Qatar in 2012.

The country’s top snooker player said he was in constant touch with his coach on whatsap whose guidance at crucial stages immensely helped him in winning the honours. Initially, the Pakistani trio, also including Mohammad Asif and Shahram Changezi, had difficulty in adjusting on Viraka tables but we got used to playing on Shender, he added.

He said the presence of Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) president Alamgir Shaikh was a source of inspiration for him. Besides, senior player Asif and referee Shoaib Alam also helped, he maintained.

He added that besides going for the pro, it was his desire to take his old parents to Saudi Arabia for performing Umra.

He said his next assignment will be Asian 6Reds and Team Event in Iran from May 24 to 31.

Meanwhile, the PBSF hosted a luncheon reception in honour of Hamza, Asif and Shahram at Karachi Club annexe on Sunday.

The PBSF patron Ali Asghar Valika presented a cheque of Rs3,00,000 to Hamza on behalf of the game’s controlling body for his magnificent feat.

The ceremony was attended among others by PBSF officials Alamgir Shaikh, Javed Karim, Munawwar Shaikh, Karachi Club president Ayub Bawany, sponsor Anjum Nisar and former Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2015

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