The prestigious NBP 50th (Golden Jubilee Edition) National Snooker Championship has officially commenced, marking a significant milestone for cue sports in Pakistan. The tournament began on January 13 at the NBP Sports Complex in Karachi, following a formal launch event.
Grand Launch Ceremony Sets the Stage
A press conference held at the historic Muslim Gymkhana in Karachi served as the official curtain-raiser for the championship. The event was spearheaded by Abdul Qadir Memon, President of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA). He was joined by a host of dignitaries from the sports and banking sectors, underscoring the event's national importance.
Key figures in attendance included Sher Muhammad, Senior Vice President and Head of the NBP Sports Wing; M Farhan from NBP Sports; Naveed Kapadia, the Tournament Director and PBSA Secretary; Hussain Haroon, Chief Patron of Muslim Gymkhana; former president Alamgir Shaikh; and Mir Mubashir Ibrahim, Patron of Muslim Gymkhana.
NBP Praised as Pillar of Support for Snooker
Addressing the media, PBSA President Abdul Qadir Memon expressed profound gratitude for the tournament's title sponsor. He highlighted the National Bank of Pakistan's (NBP) 16-year partnership with the championship, calling the institution a fundamental pillar of strength for the sport.
"For the past 16 years, National Bank of Pakistan has been a pillar of strength for the National Snooker Championship. We are delighted to once again have their support, which has been instrumental in the growth and continuity of snooker in Pakistan," Memon stated during the conference.
Tournament Format and Lucrative Prize Money
The championship features a highly competitive structure with substantial financial rewards for the players. A total of 48 snooker players from across the nation are competing, initially divided into 12 groups.
The tournament's total prize purse stands at an impressive Rs 1.6 million. The winner will be awarded Rs 350,000, while the runner-up will receive Rs 200,000. Players reaching the semifinals will get Rs 150,000 each, and quarterfinalists will share a collective prize of Rs 160,000.
The top two players from each group will advance to the knockout stage. The climactic final match will be played in a best-of-11 frames format, testing the skill and endurance of the finalists. All eyes will be on the reigning champion, Shahid Aftab, as he returns to defend his national title against the country's best cueists.
The successful launch of this golden jubilee edition reinforces snooker's growing stature in Pakistan's sporting landscape, fueled by consistent institutional backing and the rising talent of its players.
