Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said Pakistan youth has great passion in the game of snooker and that’s why Punjab govt has included snooker in five games keeping in view their medal-winning chances in international competitions; he said this while addressing the prize distribution ceremony of Punjab Inter-Division (Open) Snooker Championship at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall.
Faisalabad won the Punjab Inter-Division (Open) Snooker Championship title beating Multan in the final by 2-0. Dera Ghazi Khan finished third in the event. Sports Department Punjab organised the 2-day Punjab Inter-Division (Open) Snooker Championship with the collaboration of Punjab Snooker Association (PSA).Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti graced the closing ceremony as chief guest. All the players and officials were also introduced with Punjab Minister for Sports Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti on this occasion. Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti distributed prizes among the top performers of Punjab Inter-Division (Open) Snooker Championship. President Punjab Snooker Association MB Ghauri also presented a souvenir to Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti on this occasion.
In his media talk, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said Pakistan players have remarkable potential in snooker. “All the participating players exhibited wonderful performance and discipline during the championship which is definitely an appreciative feature,” he added. Responding to a question, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said Sports Department Punjab is providing best opportunities to youth of the province to express their talent.
Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, President Punjab Snooker Association MB Ghauri, Deputy Director Shahid Nizami, chief consultant SBP Shahid Faqeer Virk and NPSC Gymnasium Hall administrator Mustafa Shah were also present on this occasion.
In the final match, former Asian Champion Hamza Akbar from Faisalabad showed his class against strong opponents from Multan. Hamza outplayed Rana
Irfan of Multan by 2-0 in the first match of best-of-three final while Shahid Aftab emerged winner against Haji Javed by 2-1 in the second match.
Hamza Akbar of Faisalabad and Rana Irfan of Multan recorded the highest breaks of 77 each during the 2-day tournament. Mudassar Sh of Rawalpindi registered 2nd highest break of 72 in the event.
Earlier, in the first semifinal, Faisalabad defeated DG Khan by 2-1. From Faisalabad, Hamza Akbar thrashed Shareef of DG Khan by 2-1 while Saqib Butt of Faisalabad toppled Mauladad of DG Khan by the same margin.
The second semifinal was played between Multan and Rawalpindi. Multan emerged triumphant in the second semifinal by 2-0. Rana Irfan of Multan edged out Abdul Javed of Pindi by 2-1 in the first match whereas Multan’s Haji Javed overwhelmed Mudassar Sh by 2-1 in the second clash.