'Not just a win for me but for all of Pakistan,' snooker champion Mohammad Asif says upon return home

Published November 11, 2019
On Saturday, Asif coasted to an 8-5 victory over unseeded Jefrey Roda of Philippines in the final of the championship in Antalya. His last success came in Bulgaria in 2012. — DawnNewsTV
On Saturday, Asif coasted to an 8-5 victory over unseeded Jefrey Roda of Philippines in the final of the championship in Antalya. His last success came in Bulgaria in 2012. — DawnNewsTV

Returning to Karachi after winning the title of the IBSF World Snooker Championship, second seed Mohammad Asif on Monday said that his victory was not just his win alone, but one for all of Pakistan.

On Saturday, Asif coasted to an 8-5 victory over unseeded Jefrey Roda of Philippines in the final of the championship in Antalya.

Carrying his trophy, he was greeted today at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport by representatives of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) who adorned him with garlands.

Speaking to reporters on his return today, he said that he was dedicating his award to Kashmiris.

"We always ask the government to support us so that players are encouraged," Asif said, adding that he was hopeful that the current government will support snooker.

The snooker champion thanked the federation for supporting him, adding that the PBSF had supported them in tough times. He requested the government to support the sport as well.

The last time Asif won the title was in 2012 in Bulgaria. With this victory, Faisalabad-born Asif has become the fifth cueists to win the world snooker title twice since its inception in 1963.

Opinion

Editorial

Growth to stability
Updated 29 Apr, 2026

Growth to stability

THE State Bank’s decision to raise its key policy rate by 100 basis points to 11.5pc signals a shift in priorities...
Constitutional order
29 Apr, 2026

Constitutional order

FOLLOWING the passage of the 26th and 27th Amendments, in 2024 and 2025 respectively, jurists and members of the...
Protecting childhood
29 Apr, 2026

Protecting childhood

AN important victory for child protection was secured on Monday with the Punjab Assembly’s passage of the Child...
Unlearnt lessons
Updated 28 Apr, 2026

Unlearnt lessons

THE US is undoubtedly the world’s top military and economic power at this time. Yet as the Iran quagmire has ...
Solar vision?
28 Apr, 2026

Solar vision?

THE recent imposition of certain regulatory requirements for small-scale solar systems, followed by the reversal of...
Breaking malaria’s grip
28 Apr, 2026

Breaking malaria’s grip

FOR the first time in decades, defeating malaria in our lifetime is possible, according to WHO. Yet in Pakistan,...