Karachi, April 25: Pakistan received first blow when neighbouring India pulled out of the 29th Asian Snooker Championship citing their government’s refusal to grant no objection certificate (NOC) to the team, a top official of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) told Dawn on Thursday evening.

“Our Interior Ministry has not given permission to the players and officials to travel to Pakistan,” joint secretary of the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI), Balaji, said on a long distance call.

A five-member Indian squad, including two cueists, as many referees and manager-cum-coach, were to feature in the contest.

It is pertinent to mention that two Pakistan cueists — Hamza Akbar and Mohammad Majid Ali — recently figured in the ACBS 14th Asian under-21 snooker championship held at Indore, India, from April 1 to 7.

India snooker team last participated in the seven-nation international tournament held at a local five star hotel in March last year.

Meanwhile, cueists from five countries arrived in the city in the last 24 hours. Hong Kong was the first team to arrive on Wednesday night.

The team comprised two players namely Fung Kwok Wai and Lee Chun Wai.They were followed by Afghanistan which consists of Saleh Mohammad Mohammadi, Mohammad Rais Senzai (players) and Mohammad Aziz (manager).

Singapore team includes two players — Lim Chun Kiat and Ang Boon Chin.Thailand’s three players who arrived here on Thursday were Yuttapop Pakpoj, Boonyarit Kaettikun and Ratchayothin Yotharuck. They were accompanied by two referees.

The Mongolian team comprised Ulziitogtokh Davaasuren and Khash-Ochir Tuvshinjargal.

Meanwhile, a two-member Chinese team is due to arrive in the early hours of Friday.—A.Z.