Jubilee Insurance offers to sponsor Asian Snooker Championship

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Tahir Ahmed, Managing Director, Jubilee General Insurance, has announced that his company, having become the major sponsors of snooker in Pakistan for the last five years, was willing to support the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) in holding international snooker competitions in the country in future

Speaking as the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony of the Jubilee Insurance 7-Nation International Snooker Championship 2012, at Hotel Pearl Continental on March 9, he expressed his delight at the revival of international snooker in the country and offered sponsorship support to the PBSA in hosting future events.

He delivered a crisp and compact speech on the occasion in which he briefly threw light on all aspects of the game, mentioned the ingredients of a successful event.

Tahir Ahmed, along Javed Ahmed, Managing Director, Jubilee Life Insurance, presented a purse of US$2,000 alongwith the winner’s trophy to Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh was awarded while runner-up Hossein Vafaei Ayouri of Iran collected a reward of US$1,000. Mohammad Asif of Pakistan clinched the prize of US$100 for registering the highest break of the six-day championship.

Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, President, PBSA, took his time in the welcome address making a mention of people who had extended support to him in organizing the event. While seeking the affiliation of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) without further delay, he thanked the old friends of the sport as well, making a special mention of S M Muneer, Shahid Ahmad Khan and Aqeel Karim Dhedi.

He also announced that his association planned to bid for the next year’s Asian Snooker Championship.

Lt Gen (retd) Syed Arif Hasan, President, POA, stated on the occasion that the PBSA would be granted affiliation of the national Olympic body soon, upon the completion of some formalities.

Mohammad El Kammah, Secretary General, International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) and President, Egyptian Billiards & Snooker Association (EBSA), expressed the hope that Pakistan would be able to play host to the Asian Championship as well as the World Championship in not too distant future.

S M Muneer, a former President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI), who played a key role in facilitating the participation of the Indian cueists in the championship by pursuing the matter with the Interior Ministry, was confident that international sports events will now be organized on a regular basis in the country.

Shahid Ahmad Khan, who was one of the architects of bringing international snooker to Pakistan with the mega events like the Asian Championship in 1991 and the World Championship in 1993, was recognized by the PBSA for his contributions.

There were far too many speeches and the presentation of souvenirs in the crowded ceremony that lasted more than half an hour. It was also being telecast live and there were quite a few organizers and socialites queued up around the arena.

Un-Nooh edges out Ayouri in epic final between world champions

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

What an extraordinary final it turned out be between two world champions! Thailand’s Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, a former world champion, fought back magnificently to overpower Hossein Vafaei Ayouri of Iran, the reigning world champion, in the final of the Jubilee Insurance 7-Nation International Snooker Championship 2012 at Hotel Pearl Continental, Karachi on March 9.

Un-Nooh, cool like a cucumber, didn’t panic even after losing the first four frames in the best of 13 encounter and rallied back to win it 7-6 with the scores of 61-83, 44-80, 0-75, 28-69, 59-28, 57-54, 52-65, 80-50, 78-30, 19-87, 76-42, 91-36, 92-0.

The spectators, not large in number though, could not have asked for a more thrilling contest between the top two cueists of the event having made there without losing any match. The organizers, Jubilee General Insurance, could not have desired a more befitting end to an interesting championship that has marked the revival of sporting activities in Pakistan.

Although none of the Pakistanis managed to force their way into the final, it was thoroughly enjoyed by the people watching the action at the five-star hotel and many more who viewed it on television as it was being telecast live.

Un-Nooh, 26, having looked the most accomplished cueist in the six-day competition lived up to the billing. He had turned professional after winning the world amateur crown in 2008 and he showed why he’s rated so highly. He came back so strongly after being unable to contain the Iranian teenager in the first four frames.

The 17-year-old Ayouri, on the other hand, made some unforced errors which cost him the game after being in the driving seat. He came up with much improved performance, though, than what he had done while defeating Pakistan’s Mohammad Sajjad in the semifinals the other day.

He succeeded in clinching the opening frame after some fight but he was offered less resistance in the next frame. He gave nothing away in third frame and he was equally at ease in the fourth frame. He ran into 4-0 lead within no time. Un-Nooh had won just one frame when interval was announced at 1 pm.

There was a fierce fight in the sixth frame as the battle resumed after one-hour break for Friday prayers. Un-Nooh won it to reduce the deficit. Ayouri made it 5-2 by claiming the seventh frame but his Thai rival registered a break of 71 to take the next frame. Un-Nooh made it 4-5 by also taking the ninth frame but the Iranian hit back with a break of 72 that allowed him to make it 6-4.

The cool and calculated Un-Nooh didn’t appear under any kind of pressures even though he was in danger of defeat. He played superbly under pressure and by pocketing the last three frames under enormous pressure he proved the point that he was the worthy winner of the title. He finished it in style, with a masterful break of 92 in the decisive 13th frame.

IBSF chief considers Karachi safe for World Snooker Championship

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

The top functionary of the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) considers Karachi a safe city to play host to international cue sports events, including the World Snooker Championship.

Pascal Guillaum, President, IBSF, visiting the city after 19 years, found it having all the ingredients needed to organize a global competition.

“It’s as fantastic a city as anyone else. I faced no problems whatsoever in the city while commuting to its different parts for past three days,” he observed in an informal chat at Hotel Pearl Continental on the sidelines of the ongoing Jubilee Insurance 7-Nation International Snooker Championship 2012.

“The venue as just perfect and I foresee no real issues in holding the World Snooker Championship in Karachi. I am totally satisfied with all the arrangements made for this 7-nation event,” the IBSF President added.

He lauded the efforts of the Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) in their efforts of boosting cue sports by organizing international events in this part of the world, making a special mention of its President, Alamgir Anwar Shaikh.

“I am delighted that the PBSA have really been doing an exceptional job. With willing sponsors and supportive media they find themselves in a nice position and they should capitalize on their resources. We will surely back them if they bid for the World Snooker Championship in future,” the soft-spoken Guillaum said.

Hailing from the historic city of Paris, the IBSF President had previously stayed in Karachi during the entire length of about two weeks during the World Snooker Championship in 1993, while being a delegate of the French Billiards & Snooker Association (FBSA).

Guillaum, a lawyer by profession, will not be able to spend as much time in Karachi now because of his professional commitments back home.

“I have fulfilled my promise of coming over for the seven-nation tourney. Unfortunately I won’t be able to stay back until its conclusion because of a hearing of case in Paris on March 9,” he explained.



“I have had very comfortable stay in this vibrant city again. I went to Zamzama in Defence a couple of times besides spending some time on what I consider as splendid beaches of Karachi. Honestly speaking it has been a wonderful trip,” Guillaum stated

“I couldn’t visit the much talked about French beach during this tour to Karachi because it was little far but I will make it a point to go there when I am around next time,” the IBSF President said.

Mohammed El Kammah, Secretary General of the IBSF, not only seconded the views of his President but he appeared even more impressed with the organizational capabilities of the PBSA, reckoning that there won’t be hindrances in having more international snooker competitions in Pakistan.

“I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Karachi is as safe as any other city. With so much security in place there should be no problems in hosting any kind of mega event here,” the IBSF General Secretary noted.

“A few people in the IBSF may be having some reservations but we will put our weight behind the PBSA if they are interested in hosting international events. I am confident that on the basis of our report of this particular tour, the entire IBSF Board will be supportive of the Pakistan snooker authorities,” he concluded.

World champ Hossein Vafaei Ayouri top seeded for Jubilee Insurance 7-Nation International Snooker Championship 2012

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

All is set for the Jubilee Insurance 7-Nation International Snooker Championship 2012, carrying cash awards of US$3,100, to cue off here Hotel Pearl Continental, Karachi, on March 4.

Iran’s Hossein Vafaei Ayouri, who clinched the world crown last December in Bangalore, India, by defeating Lee Walker of Wales in the final, will be the top seed as well as the hot favorite in the championship.

Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, President, Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), is mighty relieved by the arrival of the Indians in particular as their participation remained doubtful until the eleventh hour, due to the delay in issuance of the necessary clearance from the concerned authorities.

With the Jubilee Insurance 7-Nation International Snooker Championship 2012, the international snooker returns to Pakistan after nearly five years. The sponsors, Jubilee General Insurance, are eager to have a major event like this once in two years, if not annually.

The Pakistan snooker has found a willing sponsor in Jubilee General Insurance. Their Managing Director, Tahir Ahmed, remains a source of continued motivation for the Alamgir Shaikh-led PBSA.

Jubilee Insurance will be paying a sponsorship fee of Rs 3.5 million to the PBSA for the 7-nation contest, whose total cost, as declared by its President, will be Rs 3.2 million. The winner of the championship will be getting a purse of US$2,000 while the runner-up will be receiving US$1,000 and the highest break carries a cash award of US$100.

Meanwhile two cueists each from Bahrain, Egypt, India, Iran, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will compete alongside the top eight Pakistanis in the six-day event.

The 20 participants have been divided equally in four groups. The Group A contains the world champion from Iran, Hossein Vafaei Ayouri, alongside Naveen Perwani (Pakistan), Hussain Mahmood Ali (Bahrain), Noppon Saengkham (Thailand) and Sharjeel Mahmood (Pakistan).

The Group B features Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (Thailand), Mohammad Sajjad (Pakistan), Mohammad Faisal Khan (India), Habib Subah (Bahrain) and Vishan Gir (Pakistan) while the Group C comprises of Yasin Merchant (India), Sultan Mohammad (Pakistan), Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed (Egypt); Mohammed Al Joaker (UAE) and Sohail Shahzad (Pakistan) and the Group D has the presence of Mohammed Mustafa Shehab (UAE), Mohammad Asif (Pakistan), Saeed Abooyesani (Iran), Yaser Ahmed M. Elsherbiny (Egypt) and Abdul Sattar (Pakistan).

The eight seeded cueists in the championship, whose league matches will continue for three days until Tuesday, are Hossein Vafaei Ayouri (Iran), Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (Thailand), Yasin Merchant (India), Mohammed Mustafa Shehab (UAE), Noppon Saengkham (Thailand), Habib Subah (Bahrain), Mohammed Al Joaker (UAE) and Yaser Ahmed M. Elsherbiny (Egypt).

There will be only two sessions on the opening day of the event, starting at 12 noon, while there will be four sessions on the following two days, Monday and Tuesday, with the first session starting at 10 am. The league matches, to be best of seven-frame encounters, will be followed by the knockout games, starting from quarter-finals.

Bahrain’s induction makes Jubilee Insurance snooker 7-Nation contest

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Bahrain have been included in what has now become Jubilee Insurance 7-Nation International Snooker Championship 2012, scheduled to be held at Hotel Pearl Continental, Karachi, from March 4.

The media launch of the six-day individual event, carrying cash awards of US$ 3,100, was organized at its venue on February 28 in which details were unveiled by Alamgir Anwar Shaikh, President, Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA), and Tahir Ahmed, Managing Director, Jubilee General Insurance Company Limited.

It was disclosed that Bahrain, approached at the eleventh hour, have accepted the invitation right away and their cueists have confirmed participation. Besides hosts Pakistan and Bahrain, the cueists from Iran, Egypt, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be taking part in the championship.

The focus will be on Iran’s Hossein Vafaei, who had clinched the world crown last December in Bangalore, India, by defeating Lee Walker of Wales in the final. The league matches, to be best of seven-frame encounters, will be followed by the knockout games, starting from quarter-finals.

“It’s going to be a fulfillment of a dream. The return of international snooker in Pakistan augurs very well for the future of Pakistan sports. We look forward to making it a biannual feature,” Tahir Ahmed remarked.

“It’s very heartening to note that the top cueists of the world will be coming down to Karachi. The contests will provide high quality entertainment to the snooker fans of our country,” he noted.

Alamgir Shaikh was also expressed his delight and hoped that the 7-nation snooker championship could go a long way in reopening the floodgates as far as international sports events are concerned.
“We invited Bahrain because we were not sure about participation from India. But earlier today we have been assured that the Indians will also be issued NOC by Ministry of Interior within a couple of days to let obtain the visas in time before their flight to Karachi,” the PBSA President revealed.

“Originally we had made draws of 24 cueists, who were divided equally in four groups. Now with two cueists adding up from Bahrain we have decided to include two more local cueists, Sharjeel Mahmood and Vishan Gir, to raise the number of participants to 28,” he added.

“The winner of the championship will be getting a purse of US$2,000 while the runner-up will be receiving US$1,000 and the highest break carries a cash award of US$100. The total staging cost on the event is estimated to be Rs 3.2 million while the sponsorship fee being paid by Jubilee Insurance is Rs 3.5 million,” Alamgir Shaikh stated.

He confirmed that Pascal Guillaum, President, International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF) and Mohamed Elkammah, Secretary General, IBSF, belonging to France and Egypt respectively, will be coming over to Karachi alongwith Hashem Eskandarirad, President, Billiards & Snooker Federation of Iran, in accordance with their original travel plans.

Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed and Yasir Ahmed Mohamed Elsherbiny (Egypt), Yasin Raza Merchant and Mohammad Faisal Khan (India), Hossein Vafaei Ayouri and Syed Abooyesani (Iran), Noppon Saengkham and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh (Thailand), Mohammad Al Joaker and Mohammad Mustafa Shehab (UAE) alongwith two cueists from Bahrain will be competing with Pakistan’s top eight cueists Mohammad Asif, Sultan Mohammad, Mohammad Sajjad, Naveen Kumar Perwani, Abdul Sattar, Sohail Shahzad, Sharjeel Mahmood and Vishan Gir.