PBSA distributes cash prizes among winning cueists

KARACHI: The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association on Tuesday distributed more than Rs.900,000 among cueists who have won different titles for Pakistan in last few months.

To honor cueists who brought laurels to the country, a ceremony was held in Karachi where six players were awarded cash prizes according to their medals and status of tournament.

Munawar Sheikh, the president of PBSA, told Geo.tv that the association has formed a policy to give cash prizes to players, and that the same would apply in the future as well.

"In world events, the gold medalist will be given Rs200,000, silver medalist will be awarded Rs100,000, and bronze medalist will get Rs50,000, whereas in Asian events, players will receive Rs150,000, Rs75,000, and Rs50,000 respectively," he said.

"In case of team event, the amount will be distributed equally among players," Sheikh added.

Pakistan's ace cueist Mohammad Sajjad pocketed around Rs225,000 for winning different individual and team events for Pakistan.

World junior champion Naseem Akhtar received Rs200,000, while Asif and Babar got Rs100,000 each for winning the IBSF team championship in Egypt earlier this year.

Cash awards were also given to Mohammad Asif, Babar Masih, and Mohammad Bilal for winning different medals for the country in last few months.

Players, while expressing delight over PBSA's policy, wished that the same was done by the government as well.

"It is good that PBSA has done this despite limited resources. I hope this will send a message to the government that it should also do something for snooker as cricket isn't the only sport in the country," said Asjad Iqbal, who was a silver medalist at the IBSF World team championship.

Pakistani cueists have won three gold medals, two silver medals, and four bronze medals in IBSF and ACBS events this year.