Pakistan’s snooker team has been forced to miss the IBSF World U17 and U21 Snooker Championship in Bangalore after Indian authorities denied them the necessary visas.
The Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (PBSA) confirmed this disappointing development, which has left the team unable to participate in the prestigious international event.
The Pakistani contingent, which included PBSA Chairman Alamgir A. Shaikh, referee Naveed Kapadia, and three young players including Ahsan Ramzan, M. Hasnain Akhtar, and M. Hamza Ilyas had completed all required formalities and received clearance from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
Despite this, the team’s participation was halted due to the visa refusal. “This is a significant setback not only for our team but also for the international snooker community,” a PBSA spokesperson remarked.
The spokesperson emphasized that the Pakistani players had strong chances of winning medals, making their absence a considerable loss for the world snooker championship.
In response to the visa denial, the PBSA has filed a formal protest with both the Billiard & Snooker Federation of India and the International Billiards & Snooker Federation (IBSF).
The association expressed deep disappointment, highlighting their eagerness to represent Pakistan on the global stage in India.
The championship commenced in Bangalore today and will continue until August 31st, with the absence of the Pakistani team casting a shadow over the event.