KARACHI, May 2: President of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF), Jim Leacy, has applauded the standard of cue sports in Asia which has produced a galaxy of stars in the past.

“The competition in the region is getting tough day by day which is evident from many surprises in the ongoing Asian Snooker Championship,” Leacy who arrived here along with his wife from Dublin told Dawn on the sidelines of the regional event on Thursday.

He said the elimination of Chinese, Thais and the world amateur snooker champion Mohammad Asif of Pakistan is an indicator of tough competition.

Leacy, who was elected as IBSF chief in Sofia, Bulgaria, in December said he was glad to see the final where Asif become world champion. He hoped Asif will join professional circuit adding that it’s bit expensive and can’t be materialised without the support of sponsorship.

The IBSF chief who is here on his second visit termed the hospitality “gracious”. His previous visit was two decades back in 1993 world snooker championship in his capacity as IBSF board member (chairman of Europe).

To a question, Leacy said he wanted IBSF membership to grow from existing 100 nations and will negotiate with South American and Eastern European countries in this regard.

He said snooker is part of the quadrennial world games which will be held in Columbia from July 25 to Aug 4. Sixteen players — eight selected by IBSF and eight by WPBSA — will vie in snooker, as many in carom and 32 in pool.—Sports Correspondent