Pakistan has moved one place up and it now holds 8th spot in international rankings this year, according to International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF). Pakistan qualified for quarterfinals and secured 52 points in World Championship recently held in India.
Last year, Pakistan accumulated 52 points as well in Syria. "We stay among top 10 nations in international snooker ranking. And I remind you that snooker is not like cricket or hockey where few nations participate in top events.
In snooker world championships, 60 nations participate and the competition is very tough. So staying in top 10 is a big achievement," Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) chief Alamgir Shaikh told PPI. Alamgir further pointed out that only two players are full-time snooker players and other top national players have others means to earn their bread and butter and therefore they couldn't give full time to the game.
"To compete forcefully in international tournaments, players should be given full-time job. Only Imran Shahzad and Mohammad Sajjad are employed by Del Monte and NBP as snooker players respectively and others are part-time snooker players.
Asif Toba, who participated in World Championship in India doesn't have a job. So I think players must be given jobs so that they could concentrate on the game and bring laurels for the country," the president added. However, Alamgir said that without proper support from the government and lack of resources, Pakistan's eight place in international rankings is a great achievement.
Thailand maintained their top spot ranking and India also remained at second place this year. Alamgir said that Pakistani players give tough time to international players and they have the talent to stun world class cueists if they were provided with job security and proper training. "We cannot compete with India because they have sponsors, resources, government support and infrastructure. And I can assure you that if our players get the same things as their Indian counterparts enjoy, then our players could easily brush them aside in international tournaments," Alamagir said.
He further said that corporations and the government should come forward and give jobs to snooker players so that they concentrate on the game and perform well internationally. Meanwhile, Alamgir said that PBSA would soon start an academy in Karachi and the association is making efforts to make one in Islamabad as well.
"We are now focusing to establish a proper infrastructure so that we facilitate talented players in polishing their talent so that they could perform well in the international arena," he added.
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