Pakistan’s three-time world snooker champion, Muhammad Asif, has appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to release the remaining portion of his prize money for his historic triumph in the 2024 IBSF World Snooker Championship.
Asif, who clinched his third world title with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Iran’s Asian champion Ali Ghareghozlou in Qatar, has yet to receive the full financial reward for his achievement. While he has been awarded Rs 2.5 million for his SAARC Snooker Championship victory, the prize money for his World Championship win remains unpaid.
In a meeting with the Prime Minister, Muhammad Asif expressed gratitude for the government’s recognition of his SAARC Championship success but urged the immediate release of the funds owed to him for his World Championship triumph.
“I am still waiting for the prize money for winning the World Snooker Championship in 2024,” Asif stated. “I have requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to release the remaining amount as well.”
The 42-year-old Faisalabad-based cueist has etched his name in history, joining India’s Pankaj Advani as a three-time world champion, further cementing his status as one of Pakistan’s greatest snooker players.
Despite his international success, Muhammad Asif believes that Pakistan’s snooker scene still lacks the necessary support to flourish. He emphasized the importance of government backing, particularly in providing stable jobs for cueists to ensure their continued success on the global stage. “If cueists are given jobs, they will deliver better results for the country,” he added, highlighting that financial stability is crucial for sustaining Pakistan’s dominance in the sport.
Muhammad Asif’s appeal for recognition and financial support underscores the challenges faced by Pakistan’s cueists despite their remarkable achievements on the world stage. As he awaits the fulfillment of his promised prize money, the snooker community hopes for a more structured and consistent approach to rewarding and nurturing the country’s top talent.