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KARACHI: Ali Asghar Valika, who is credited to have revived snooker in the country, has termed the triumph of Mohammad Asif in the IBSF World Snooker Championship 2012 at Sofia, Bulgaria, as a “miracle of sorts”.
“Isn’t it a miracle that he has claimed the world crown without any technical or financial support? He didn’t have the opportunity to turn to any coach for advice,” Valika, who headed the national snooker body for a couple of decades, told ‘The News’ here on Monday.
“Neither did he have a job. He is a self-made cueist who has worked extremely hard to earn the title literally on his own,” said Valika, now Executive Vice President, Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS).
“I interacted with him recently during an international tournament in Dubai in which he went down fighting in the final. I found him a modest and unassuming lad who was willing to learn his lessons quickly. I also had a pep-talk with him on the eve of the World Championship. I urged him not to lose his intensity in the crucial knockout games. I am happy that he responded by overcoming all the obstacles in the global event,” the former President of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) added.
“It’s a victory that can give a new lease of life to snooker in Pakistan. The ball is now in the court of the PBSA whose officials need to mobilise all their resources to capitalise on the huge bonus in the shape of the world title,” Valika said.
“Asif should be rewarded adequately for the monumental accomplishment. The government, the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the sponsors should come forward in this regard so as to encourage cueists of the country,” he remarked.
“Asif’s victory in the World Championship is also an honour for the continent of Asia and I will suggest at the ACBS Board that the cueists earning glories for Asia be rewarded financially,” Valika said.
“Isn’t it a miracle that he has claimed the world crown without any technical or financial support? He didn’t have the opportunity to turn to any coach for advice,” Valika, who headed the national snooker body for a couple of decades, told ‘The News’ here on Monday.
“Neither did he have a job. He is a self-made cueist who has worked extremely hard to earn the title literally on his own,” said Valika, now Executive Vice President, Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS).
“I interacted with him recently during an international tournament in Dubai in which he went down fighting in the final. I found him a modest and unassuming lad who was willing to learn his lessons quickly. I also had a pep-talk with him on the eve of the World Championship. I urged him not to lose his intensity in the crucial knockout games. I am happy that he responded by overcoming all the obstacles in the global event,” the former President of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) added.
“It’s a victory that can give a new lease of life to snooker in Pakistan. The ball is now in the court of the PBSA whose officials need to mobilise all their resources to capitalise on the huge bonus in the shape of the world title,” Valika said.
“Asif should be rewarded adequately for the monumental accomplishment. The government, the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the sponsors should come forward in this regard so as to encourage cueists of the country,” he remarked.
“Asif’s victory in the World Championship is also an honour for the continent of Asia and I will suggest at the ACBS Board that the cueists earning glories for Asia be rewarded financially,” Valika said.
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