KARACHI, Oct 7: The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) on Thursday named a five-member snooker team for next month's Guangzhou Asian Games, pinning a lot of hopes in the squad to clinch a medal in the mega event.

Mohammad Sajjad, the reigning national champion and Shahram Changezi are among five cueists who will make their Asian Games debut in the Chinese city. The other three players who have featured in the Asiad before are Pakistan No 1 Imran Shehzad, No 2 Sohail Shehzad and a former Asian No 3, Khurram Agha.

“The team is a blend of mature players having rich experience of playing in the circuit,” President of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), Alamgir Shaikh, told a news conference at Karachi Club.

Expressing optimism, he said Pakistan can scoop a medal if Sajjad repeats his Bangkok performance where he captured Korat Cup, a Thai ranking tournament, apart from finishing runner-up at the Asian spectacle.

“We have restricted our participation to singles and team event of snooker where chances of securing a medal are bright,” he said.

He rated Thailand, host China, India and Iran as Pakistan's main challengers adding that the gulf countries were also coming up fast.

Pakistan seized a gold medal and a bronze in snooker when the baize game made its debut at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games. England-based Pakistani Shaukat Ali fetched the gold in singles while the trio of Farhan Mirza, Saleh Mohammad and Shaukat Ali won the bronze in team event.

Responding to a query, he said the PBSA plan to acquire the services of Indian coach Sanjay Sawanth for short stint was 'sabotaged' after the government refused NOC.

“I have expressed regret to him (Sanjay) as the proposed plan couldn't materialise.

When his attention was drawn towards the coaching offer made by former world amateur champion, Mohammad Yousuf, he declined to accept it due to lack of time.

“The PBSA respects Yousuf as a player despite being at loggerheads,” he remarked, and assured the celebrity that the PBSA would support him if he features in the World Masters at Damascus in December.

The selected players will assemble in a camp which is scheduled to commence at Islamabad from Oct 15 and continue until departure on Nov 11 or 12.

Team:

Mohammad Sajjad, Imran Shehzad, Sohail Shehzad, Shahram Changezi, Khurram Agha (players).

Shoaib Alam Khan (manager), Alamgir Shaikh (official), Shabbir Hussain Daruwala (referee).