The Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) has expressed outrage after the Indian High Commission denied visas to its three players and a referee for the IBSF U-18 and U-21 World Championships in Bengaluru. The tournament commenced on Saturday, leaving the Pakistani contingent stranded.
PBSA official Alamgir Sheikh lamented the lack of visas, stating that the players had secured necessary clearances from the Pakistani government and sports board. “We applied to the Indian High Commission on time, but they refused to issue visas, depriving our squad of the opportunity to compete,” Sheikh said.
The affected players, Ahsan Ramazan, Hasnain Akhtar, and Hamza Illyas, were considered strong contenders for success in the world events. Sheikh emphasized their recent achievements and expressed disappointment at their inability to showcase their skills.
Adding to the frustration, referee Naveed Kapadia was also denied a visa despite being nominated by the IBSF to supervise the tournament. Sheikh condemned the decision, calling it a violation of international sporting norms.
The PBSA has lodged formal complaints with the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) and the Indian Billiards and Snooker body. Sheikh urged the authorities to intervene and ensure that Pakistani athletes are not discriminated against in future events.
The incident has raised concerns about the politicization of sports and the impact it can have on young athletes. The PBSA has vowed to continue its efforts to secure visas for its players and ensure their participation in international competitions.
