Muhammad Sajjad. -Photo by APP

“Sajjad had an outstanding year on the international circuit and being the best we would be sending his entry for the global event,” PBSA President Alamgir Shaikh told APP on Monday.

“Currently we are not sure from where how we will raise funds for his trip but we are making this decision in the best interest of the country and are confident the Pakistan Sports Board will look into the matter,” he said.

Even though Sajjad failed to qualify for the semis of the recently held Del Monte Snooker Championship in Karachi, he remains Pakistan's most likely medal hope and has been selected to spearhead the 5-member squad for the XVI Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou, China from November.

Sajjad by virtue of being the runner-up of the 26th Asian Championship, held this year in Thailand, has attained second position in the Asian snooker circuit. He also achieved the honour of becoming the first Asian wild card entrant to win Thailand's Korat Cup 2010 in which top ranked players from the host nation participated.-APP