Pakistan’s three-time World Snooker Champion, Muhammad Asif, has made a heartfelt appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging the government to release the remaining prize money from his historic victory in the 2024 IBSF World Snooker Championship.
Asif, who secured his third world title in December 2024, defeated Iran’s Asian Champion Ali Ghareghozlou 5-3 in a gripping final held in Qatar. Despite the magnitude of the achievement, Asif has yet to receive the full financial reward for his success. Although he was awarded Rs 2.5 million for his victory in the SAARC Snooker Championship earlier, the promised prize money for his World Championship win remains unpaid.
In a recent meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Asif expressed his gratitude for the government’s acknowledgment of his SAARC title but emphasized the urgency of releasing 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 already etched his name into snooker history, joining the ranks of India’s Pankaj Advani as a three-time world champion. His latest success further solidifies his legacy as one of Pakistan’s finest snooker players.
Despite his international triumphs, Muhammad Asif remains concerned about the future of snooker in Pakistan. He believes the country’s cueists still lack the necessary support to reach their full potential. Asif stressed the importance of government backing in providing stable jobs for snooker players, which he believes would foster even greater success on the global stage.
“If cueists are given jobs, they will deliver better results for the country,” he emphasized. “Financial stability is crucial for sustaining Pakistan’s dominance in the sport.”
As Asif awaits the fulfillment of his promised prize money, his appeal reflects the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan’s snooker community despite the remarkable accomplishments of its athletes. Many within the sport hope that the government will take a more structured approach to support and reward the country’s top cueists, ensuring their continued success in international competitions.
Muhammad Asif’s call for both recognition and financial support sheds light on the difficulties that even world-class athletes face when striving for excellence in Pakistan. The snooker community now awaits a positive response from the Prime Minister’s office, hoping that his victory will be met with the appropriate recognition and reward.
