KARACHI, July 24: The 12th edition of Red and White National Ranking Snooker Championship starts at Area Snooker Club Gizri from Saturday with 32 cueists battling for the crown.

The event will be significant for Pakistan’s three leading cuemen, Khurram Agha, Saleh Muhammad and Muhammad Yousuf as on the basis of performance in the event, two-member Pakistan squad for World Snooker Championship schedule to be held in China will be decided.

Khurram, Saleh and Yousuf are occupying the top three slots and two are strong contender for a berth in Pakistan team.

Last year duo of Khurram and Saleh represented Pakistan in the world championship in Cairo (Egypt). Debutant Khurram lost in the quarterfinal while Saleh was beaten in the pre-quarterfinal.

As per the draws released by PBSA, top seed Khurram Agha of KPT will take on Janan Khan Balochistan in the opening session match at 10.00 a.m

Defending champion Saleh of NWFP will be pitted against Punjab’s Saqib Butt in his first pool “B” game at 12.30 P.M.

Saleh, who is currently serving as Bahrain coach and prepare their team for september Gulf Countries Snooker Championship. He was released to participate in this event.

Ranked second in the country Saleh also won the Style Ranking Snooker at Karachi Gymkhana a couple of months back.

Thirty two players are placed in eight groups and top two each pool will advance in the last 16 stage of the competition.

Among the other seeded players Naveen Perwani is seeded four, Atiq Latif Bakhsh five, Imran Shahzad six, Farhan Mirza seven and Shakeel Bhatti eight.

Round robin league activity conclude on July 29 and pre- quarterfinal will be held on July 30, semifinals on July 31 and the final on Aug 1.

A prize money of Rs 187,000 will up for grab with winner taking home Rs 60,000, runner-up Rs 35,000.—APP