Asian snooker champion Hamza Akbar vows to win more laurels for the country

Lahore: After turning professional, I will try my best to win more laurels for my country; this determination was shown by newly-crowned Asian snooker champion Hamza Akbar, while talking to media during his visit of National Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

Earlier, Director General Sports Punjab Usman Anwar received the national hero. MPA Ms Tahia Noon was also present on this occasion.

Faisalabad-born Hamza Akbar said Punjab government, Sports Board Punjab (SBP) and Punjab Youth Festival had major role in his success. “DG SBP Usman Anwar included snooker in the list of PYF events two years ago and now young players of all games particularly snooker are winning titles at international level,” he added.

Hamza was quite impressed with the Punjab Youth Festival events. “Sports Board Punjab, through PYF, provided the youth of the country best platform to express their talent and the potential youth of the country availed the opportunity fully,” he stated.

Hamza, who became the second Pakistani cueist to win the Asian snooker title, said playing the Professional League in England was his next target. “I’ve qualified to play the professional league after winning the Asian title. The Professional League will start in July this year. The participation in high-profile league requires a huge amount and I’m confident that federal govt, Punjab government and snooker federation will help me to achieve this task,” he told.

Soft-spoken Hamza also thanked media for its full support and handsome coverage during the Asian Snooker Championship held in Malaysia.

DG SBP Usman Anwar, in his media talk, appreciated the achievement of Hamza Akbar saying that his Asian title will inspire the young generation of the country. “Hamza deserves full credit and his title victory must be acknowledged at every level,” Usman Anwar stressed.

Answering a question, Usman Anwar said: “SBP will hold Punjab Youth Festival events in future as well and these events will help producing several national heroes like Hamza Akbar”.