KARACHI Dec 2: The World Snooker Championship presently being held in Veldhoven (Netherlands) will next year be staged in Pakistan sometime in November.

This news was conveyed by the PBSA President and SAARC Billiard and Snooker Federation chief, Asghar Valika, on Thursday, who is presently in Holland.

The PBSA chief said that Pascal Gullaume of France the IBSF President and the other members approved of Pakistan staging the next contest, but some European nations hesitatedof participating in Pakistan due to security reasons.

However after giving his assurance of safety precautions, all the members agreed to participate in Pakistan. This will be the third time that Pakistan will be hosting the world snooker championship.

The first time was way back in 1966 where five nations England, Scotland, Australia, Sri Lanka and the host Pakistan participated at the Sir Abdullah Haroon Muslim Gymkhana where Gary Owen beat John Spencer, after the two Englishmen reached the final.

The second time Pakistan staged the world championship was in 1993 at Karachi, when 68 cueists from 36 countries participated. Trapdit Chauchart beat countryman Praprut, after the two Thais forced their entry into the final.

Apart from the World championship, Pakistan has also successfully staged the Asian Snooker Championship thrice in Karachi in 1991, 1998 and 2001. The PBSA president added that the city that will host this prestigious in Pakistan will be named later after the PBSA Board.