Muhammad Sajjad. -File photo

“I can foresee tough contest against players from China, India and even the UAE,” he told APP on Wednesday. “But I am pretty confident that by practicing hard in the ongoing training camp here, I will return with good results.”

The rising snooker star was referring to the training camp which is under way here at Billiards and Snooker Hall, Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad, with trainees scheduled to leave for China on November 10.

“The trainees are doing 7-8 hours of practice a day with their sights set on good results in the Asiad,” Sajjad said, observing that he had learnt a lot from his manager and the camp commandant Shoaib Alam Khan, which would be very helpful in the event.

The positive feeling is mutual and Alam believes Sajjad had the potential to continue his winning streak that started as the runners-up in the Asian Snooker Championship and the top prize in the 2010 Korat Cup in Thailand, which featured top stars from around the world.  

“Pakistan Snooker team does have the potential of winning medals in the forthcoming Asian Games,” he reiterated.

Sajjad said that going into the Korat Cup as a wildcard entry and coming out with the winners trophy was a great confidence booster.

“I kept a good eye on my opponents strengths and weaknesses. This ultimately helped me to grab the title. It was a great learning experience and I hope to take a lot from that to the Games,” he said.

Sajjad hit a break of 147, the highest among the trainees in the camp, last Friday.

As well as Muhammad Sajjad, the Pakistani cueists to feature in the Asian Games include Imran Shehzad, Sohail Shehzad, Shahram Changezi and Khurram Agha.

Alam, the camp commandant, is also the manager-designate for Asian Games.

Khurram Hussain Agha and Muhammad Sajjad will play in the singles event while Sohail Shahzad, Imran Shahzad and Shahram Changezi will figure in the team event at the Games. -APP