Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The PBSA is pleased to inform the Press/Media that a Joint meeting was held with the Federal Secretary Sports, Mr. Ejaz Choudhry and the undersigned today in Islamabad. The undersigned was accompanied by Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Sajjad & Hamza Akbar. The meeting had been prior scheduled and the Secretary IPC was kind enough to hold the meeting. The meeting was chaired by the Sports Minister, Mr. Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Joint Secretary IPC, Mr. Khalid Mahmud Mirza, Dr. Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera and Director (NF) Mr. Muhammad Azam Dar.
IBSF World 6 Red & Teams Championship (Women, Men & Masters) – 2015 – Karachi, Pakistan
The undersigned gave a detailed briefing to the Sports Secretary regarding the ongoing preparations by the PBSA in collaboration with the World Body (IBSF) and the Sponsors (Jubilee Insurance) for the above upcoming mega World event which is being held for the first time in Karachi, Pakistan. The undersigned informed the Secretary Sports that the Association is still awaiting the necessary NOC / Clearance for the World Event from the Foreign Affairs & Interior Ministry which is essential for the participating teams from all over the World to obtain their Visas for Pakistan. Since the World Body (IBSF) has already circulated the Invitation Letter for the World Championship and the last date of entry is 05th July 2015. The undersigned showed his concern for the delay in the issuance of the NOC / Clearance from the Government. The Secretary Sports assured the undersigned that the Ministry of IPC will give top priority to the matter regarding the NOC and he himself would monitor and follow up the issuance of the required NOC / Clearance from the Foreign Affairs and Interior Ministries. The undersigned appreciated this kind gesture of the Secretary Sports for using his good offices regarding the matter. The Secretary Sports appreciated the efforts of the PBSA for holding this grand World event is Pakistan and consolidated the support of the Ministry of IPC and the Pakistan Sports Board to the PBSA.
Hamza Akbar – Asian Snooker Champion – 2015
The undersigned briefed the Secretary Sports on the recent achievement of Hamza Akbar (Snooker Player) who won the Asian Title for Pakistan in the recently concluded 31st Asian Snooker Championship 2015 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The undersigned also informed the Secretary that by virtue of being the Asian Champion, Hamza Akbar has qualified for the WPBSA Professional Circuit in U.K. to play in the World Snooker Tour Event.
Since his participation in the WPBSA Professional Circuit would require a substantial amount of Rs. 2.5 Million to meet his expenses which would cater to his travelling, accommodation and living cost for two (2) years in the U.K. we therefore would like to recommend and request the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) to kindly provide the necessary Financial Assistance to our Snooker player, Hamza Akbar, enabling him to proceed to the United Kingdom. The undersigned also requested the Secretary Sports that a befitting Cash Award may also be announced as per the Sports policy of the Government to recognize Hamza Akbar’s achievement.
The Secretary Sports assured the undersigned that the Ministry IPC appreciates the achievements of Hamza Akbar and would definitely consider and announce a befitting Cash Award / as well as the Financial Assistance for Hamza Akbar towards his expenses for the Professional Circuit in the U.K. the undersigned thanked the Secretary Sports regarding the matter.
Pending Special Grant Issues 2014 – 2015;
The undersigned also briefed the Secretary Sports that the Association is facing great difficulties to meet its International Commitments, due to delay in the release of the Special Grants of the Association during the year. The Secretary Sports assured the undersigned that the Special Grants for the financial year 2014-2015 of the Association would be released before 30th June 2015.
Pending Cash Awards;
The undersigned briefed the Secretary regarding the long pending / delayed issue of the release of the Cash Awards for the Snooker players; Muhammad Asif & Muhammad Sajjad. The Secretary Sports informed the undersigned that the Cash Awards cheques for Muhammad Asif & Muhammad Sajjad have been released by the Ministry and will be handed over today by the Minister of Sports to the Players.
The Minister appreciated / lauded the efforts of the Association and achievements of Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Sajjad & Hamza Akbar. Thereafter, the Minister presented a cheque of Rs. 1 Million to Muhammad Asif and a cheque of Rs. 2.5 Million to Muhammad Sajjad. He assured Hamza Akbar that he would also be presented a cheque of Rs. 2 Million soon for his achievement in the recently concluded Asian Championship 2015.
The Secretary Sports informed the undersigned that he had been included in the Executive Board of the Pakistan Sports Board and a letter confirming the same would be forwarded soon to the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association.