THE future of Pakistani cueists hangs in the balance as the game’s governing body in the country along with a few other nations have allegedly been isolated for not parting ways with the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) following an split and subsequent creation of the World Snooker Federation (WSF) which had the blessing of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA).

The jolt was quite visible as only 11 nations featured in the ACBS 34th Asian Snooker Championship that took place at Tabriz, Iran, last month. The Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) has 37 affiliated members.

There were little number of 36 cueists in Iran and the break-up was Afghanistan (3), Hong Kong (3), India (4), Iran (8), Iraq (3), Myanmar (3), Pakistan (4), Palestine (1), Qatar (3), Syria (2) and Thailand (2).

Another shock was in store for cueists as the WPBSA withdrew wildcard entries to the Asian and world champions to compete in the pro-circuit. “Entry in the pro-circuit is the ultimate goal of any player playing at amateur level. However, the WPBSA has put an embargo to accept any entry from the IBSF or ACBS platform. Countries not affiliated with WSF will ultimately suffer and the main damage will come to the players,” commented a senior snooker player on condition of anonymity.

By virtue of capturing the Asian title at Kuala Lumpur in 2015, Pakistan’s former national champion Hamza Akbar earned a ticket for the pro-circuit which has been renewed after two years.

Lately, the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS) has announced postponement of the Asian 6 Reds and Team Championships which was slated to take place at Chandigarh from June 23 following request from the hosts regarding poor response from countries in addition to delay in securing clearance of visas from the home ministry.

The writing had become visible on the wall after Qatar allegedly monopolised the IBSF and the ACBS. Qatar’s Mubarak Al Khayarin held dual positions of ACBS and IBSF Presidents for sometime before quitting his position as regional head on April 26 last year on the sidelines of 33rd Asian spectacle at Doha, making room for fellow countryman Mohamed Salem Al-Nuaimi.

It is pertinent to mention that Mubarak was elected IBSF chief in Nov 2016 succeedin India’s Capt P V K Mohan.

Qatar’s move to monopolise the two governing bodies of the game infuriated the European nations and prompted them to launch World Snooker Federation (WSF) in Oct 2017 hand in hand with the WPBSA with its headquarter at Lausanne, Switzerland. It also organised the inaugural WSF Championships at Malta this year for men, women and seniors.

Apart from offering lucrative first prize of 10,000 pounds for men and 6,000 pounds apiece for women and senior champions, it offered other incentive to cueists of the three categories.

Among other aims and objectives the WSF aims to take snooker to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Thailand, Singapore and the UAE are among other countries that have come under the WSF fold.

Veteran Sindhu Pulsirivong, who stepped down from the post President of Billiards Sports Association of Thailand (BSAT) after remaining at its helm for 30 years in the recent past, has also backed the WSF.

Sindhu said he has always advocated the need for an effective cooperation between the amateur and professional worlds to carry cue sport forward and hoped that the WSF, under the leadership of Jason Ferguson, will one day succeed in helping us realise our Olympic dream.

“We’ve no immediate plans to join WSF until its position becomes clear,” the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) President Munawwar Hussain Shaikh, when approached, told Dawn.

Couple of other senior cueists at home when reached for comments have also advocated for joining the WSF in order to get competition and incentives which have lessened considerably now.

People connected with the game said it would be wise that the PBSF should convene an emergency meeting soon and take a bold step in the larger interest of the game. But for that to happen, some officials have to sacrifice their foreign tours as well as their positions for the benefit of players and the game.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2018