KARACHI, Sept 17: Pakistan will be hosting the world snooker cup early next year, said Ali Asghar Valika, president of the Pakistan Billards and Snooker Association.

He mentioned this at the prize distribution of the 18th Latif Masters snooker tournament which ended on Friday night at Karachi Club.

He added that the tournament would be held either in Karachi or Islamabad as most of the European nations were reluctant to play in Karachi. Mr Valika said he will be taking a team to present themselves and convince the European nations that trouble is not only in Pakistan.

This is a global matter and should be treated as a global concern. Even Russia, Spain, USA, Saudi Arabia and many others have suffered at the hands of terrorists.

He said come what may, Pakistan will host the IBSF World Snooker Tournament with 56 countries in contention, be it in Karachi or Islamabad. Pakistan has hosted one World championship and two Asian championships in Karachi in the past, which were indeed a great success.