-File photo

KARACHI: Ali Asghar Valika, chairman of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), has said hosting of seven-nation international snooker championship was a major breakthrough not only for the baize game, but for other sports also.

“The snooker contest, which is taking place after a five-year layoff, has opened the doors for other sporting teams to come and play in Pakistan,” he told Dawn on the sidelines of the event on Sunday.

Welcoming all the foreign teams and the IBSF officials for coming to Pakistan in spite of security fears, he said their visit has proved that the atmosphere was ‘conducive’ in the country.

He had a special word of thanks for the interior minister and the Pakistan High Commissioner in Delhi, Mr Shahid Hamid, particularly, with reference to issuing visas to the Indian cueists.

Valika, who is executive vice-president of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS), was optimistic that Iran will reach new heights in the days to come.

“They have emerged as a force to be reckoned with after 18-year-old Hossein Vafaei Ayouri captured the world title at Bangalore in December last,” Valika stated.

Iran, he added, had established a solid base and emergence of young world champion is a true indicator that they will eclipse China, Thailand, Europeans and other nations.

The former vice-president of IBSF urged the government to provide adequate funds, infrastructure and a foreign coach if it wants to bring more laurels.

“We’ve enough potential, but the players lacked coaching and consistency,” he added.

Valika, who stepped down after serving the PBSA as president for two decades, said the government should acknowledge the efforts of the body which has overcome difficult times and financial constraints to keep the ball rolling.