49th National Snooker Championship Kicks Off in Karachi
The 49th National Snooker Championship began on Tuesday at the Snooker Arena, National Bank Sports Complex in Karachi, with defending champion Asjad Iqbal leading a competitive 48-player field. The tournament is Pakistan’s premier snooker event, with participants battling for supremacy on the green baize.
Inauguration Ceremony
The championship was inaugurated by Alamgir Sheikh, Chairman of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA), who was joined by various prominent figures from Pakistan’s sports community.
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Lucrative Prize Pool Announced
This year’s championship features a total prize pool of Rs 525,000. The champion will receive Rs 200,000, while the runner-up will take home Rs 100,000. Semi-finalists and quarter-finalists will be awarded Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively. Additionally, a Rs 25,000 cash prize will be awarded to the player with the highest break of the tournament, adding extra excitement to the competition.
Emerging Talent and Junior Champions
The championship features 48 players divided into eight groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the pre-quarterfinals. This year’s event is also notable for the inclusion of five junior champions, who received direct entries. Their participation showcases the growing pool of young talent in Pakistan’s snooker scene.
Government Support for Snooker Players
In a media address, Sheikh also spoke about efforts to secure government support for national snooker players. “We are claiming Rs 30 million for three-time World Champion Muhammad Asif and Rs 10 million for Ahsan Ramzan under the Cash Award Sports Policy. Additionally, we are working to retrieve international medal rewards from 2019-2020 to fund upcoming ranking tournaments,” he revealed.
