KARACHI, March 30: The third edition of Pakistan-India Challenge Snooker Series will be held at Karachi Club in late May or first week of June, Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) announced on Wednesday.

“We have proposed fresh dates for the series as Indian cueists were not available in March,” President PBSA Asghar Valika said. “We are awaiting confirmation from Billiards and Snooker Association of India (BSAI).”

The series was launched by PBSA in December 2003 and India staged the return series in Chandigarh which Pakistan lost. Pakistan won the opening edition in Karachi.

Overall 21 matches will be played in three-day competition with four singles and two doubles matches and one lucky seven one frame matches will be played each day. Singles and doubles matches will be of three frames.

Overall Rs 300,000 prize money will be at stake for the event including appearance money for the players. The winners will be pocketing Rs 100,000 while runners-up will grab Rs 60,000.

Valika said both teams will comprise four cueists each and Pakistan team for the evnt will be picked on ranking basis or trials will be conducted to pick the best players.

PBSA chief said because of lack of sponsorship, the Ranking Cup Snooker Tournament has been delayed but added that Style Cup will be held in June prior to Asian Snooker Championship.

He said the Asian event

which was to be held in

April in Mumbai has been postpon ed and now will be held in July.

PBSA Chief said preparations for November’s World Snooker Championship are underway but they (PBSA) are facing problems in securing sponsorship for Rs10 million event.

However he said efforts

are afoot to get the title and sub-title sponsorship for

nearly 40-nation championship.—APP