KARACHI, May 25 The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) have awarded a wild-card entry to veteran cueist Mohammad Yousuf for the NBP National Ranking Snooker Championship which breaks off here on Wednesday.

Yousuf, a former world amateur champion, was given the wild-card after he applied in writing to the PBSA, the association's president Alamgir Shaikh told reporters at a media briefing in Karachi Club on Monday.

The NBP Senior Executive Vice President, Dr Mirza Abrar Baig, presented a Rs400,000 sponsorship cheque to the PBSA on the occasion which was attended by NBP Sports Chief and former Test cricketer Iqbal Qasim and other prominent officials.

“The PBSA could have given the wild-card to Yousuf in the nationals but he never applied for the purpose,” PBSA chief said.

Yousuf is drawn in Group “B” with last year's national champion Mohammad Sajjad, Mohammad Javed and Kamran Shah. Yousuf will clash Sajjad in his opening league match.

Some 32 cueists will be seen in action at Amir Bakhsh Billiards Hall of KC on May 27.

Reigning national champion Mohammad Asif of Punjab has been top seeded for the event while his province-mate Mohammad Sajjad is seeded second.

Raees Khan of Punjab seeded third and Sharjeel Mahmood seeded fourth.

As per the PBSA regulations top two players after the league rounds from each group will advance in the pre-quarterfinal round stage.

Dr Mirza Abrar Baig highlighted the role of NBP in the promotion and development of sports.

Group “A” Mohammad Asif (Punjab), Vishan Gir (Sindh), Umair Alam (Sindh), Hamza Akbar (Punjab).

Group “B” Mohammad Sajjad (Punjab), Mohammad Javed (Punjab), Kamran Shah (Balochistan), Mohammad Yousuf (Sindh).

Goup “C” Raees Khan (Punjab), Sohail Shehzad (Sindh), Saqib Butt (Sindh), Bahadur Baloch (Balochistan).

Group “D” Sharjeel Mahmood (NWFP), Qasim Kamani (Sindh), Kamran Razzak (Sindh), Naeem Jaffar (Balochistan).

Group “E” Inam-ur-Rehman (NWFP) Agha Bilawal (Sindh), Nauman Awan (NWFP), Mohammad Asif Toba (Punjab).

Group “F” Imran Shehzad (Punjab), Mohammad Afzal (Punjab), Qadeer Butt (Punjab), Mohammad Naeem (Punjab).

Group “G” Rambail Gul (NWFP), Mohammad Nazeer (Punjab), Jawed Ansari (Sindh), Shahdab Baig (Sindh).

Group “H” Sultan Mohammad (Sindh), Khurram Agha (Sindh), Naveen Perwani (Sindh), Asjad Iqbal (Punjab).—APP