The World Amateur Snooker Championships are taking place this November in India. It was recently announced that the two member national billiards team of Pakistan will be participating in the event. This is a step in the right direction for the relationship between the two nations.

The government gave permission to the Pakistan team to go to Hyderabad on November 15th for the even after the federation asked for clearance from the Sports Ministry. Alamigir Sheikh the PBSA president commented: “The Sports Ministry has informed us that the government has cleared the way for our players to go to India for the World event.”

The Pakistan team will be represented by Atif Mughal and Muhammad Sajjad, both of which are ranked national players. Sheikh commented: “We had got an invitation from the Indian organizers and we have now accepted it after getting the clearance.”

After last year’s Mumbai terror attacks, relations between the two countries have been strained. The Pakistan government advised the sports federations to ask for clearance in advance to participating in any event in India.





- 2009-09-18