World Snooker event postponed, says Valika

KARACHI—Multiple reasons forced Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) to postpone the November 7-20 World Snooker Championship, PBSA Chief Asghar Valika said Wednesday. “Lacking entries and sponsorship coupled with disastrous earthquake led to the postponement of mega event,” he said in an interview here.
“I am deeply disappointed to announce the postponement of global event” he said adding that International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) has been requested to give fresh dates for the event early next year. IBSF will be seeking view point from member countries on fresh dates through letter, he pointed out. Asghar Valika said member countries had in the past have acknowledged that Pakistan has top class organizational abilities. “We don’t want to organize a global event in a lackluster manner but in a befitting manner”, he remarked and maintained that under current scenario it was difficult for us to host the event but hope to stage early next year after approval from IBSF.
PBSA President said that they received entries from only 24 countries including the hoste country which dropped to 21 because of few pull outs. Draws were ready and all arrangements were almost finalized but earthquake finally forced us to postpone the championship.
“We have all sympathies with our brothers and sisters and children devastated by the catastrophe”. Valika said during historic 1993 World Championship in Karachi, PBSA received entries from 33 countries but this time just 21 which was not to our standard as PBSA looked for at least 40-nations taking part in this coveted event.
IBSF will be seeking view point from member countries on fresh dates through letter, he pointed out. Asghar Valika said member countries had in the past have acknowledged that Pakistan has top class organizational abilities.
“We don’t want to organize a global event in a lackluster manner but in a befitting manner”, he remarked and maintained that under current scenario it was difficult for us to host the event but hope to stage early next year after approval from IBSF. PBSA President said that they received entries from only 24 countries including the hoste country which dropped to 21 because of few pull outs. “We also had problems in securing sponsorship which is very important”, he said.—Agencies