KARACHI: Country’s top cueist Mohammad Asif says that he has started training in his hometown Faisalabad after a five-month break due to coronavirus-triggered lockdown in order to get fit and spearhead Pakistan in world events being staged in Doha later this year.

“I opened my club on Aug 10 after Punjab government allowed the resumption of [sports] activities, and am practising daily at least for six hours,” Asif told Dawn on Wednesday.

He said due to lack of practice following the lockdown he and other cueists have put up weight and need to work hard. Asif, the two-time world snooker champion, added that former Asian champion Hamza Akbar, Pakistan No.2 Shahid Aftab and Mohammad Asif Toba who also reside in Faisalabad had also started training.

It is pertinent to mention here that Hamza, who had returned from England after competing in pro-league, lost in the pre-quarterfinal of the 45th National Championship held in February.

Asif replied in negative when asked whether he received or was promised any reward from the government for his second triumph in the world event last year.

“I’ve not received a single penny from government so far,” he said angrily.

“I’m indebted to my employers National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) whose president called me in his office and presented $5,000 for the feat,” he acknowledged.

Asif, who defeated Shahid Aftab 8-7 in the nerve-tingling final on Feb 12 to recapture national title, hoped that the third national ranking event in Sept will provide competitive practice to all top cueists.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2020