KARACHI Muhammad Sajjad became the second Pakistani to reach the final of the Asian Snooker Championship in 12 years when he outplayed his Thai opponent by six frames to three in the first semi-final of the event. Incomparable Muhammad Yousuf, who won both the world and the Asian crown, was last Pakistani to enter the final in 1998 at Karachi. The veteran player went on to clinch the Asian crown which has been dominated by Thailand with an occasional victory for Indians. Sargodha-based Muhammad Sajjad, who only a year ago won the national crown, beat Thailands well-known cueist Thanawat Thirapongpaiboon 6-3 and in the process smashing his fourth century break of the tournament, according to information received here on Friday. The Pakistani majestically started the semi-final contest hitting his fourth century break of 104 in the opening which he won 105-01. His opening salvo in the best of 11 frames contest almost devastated the experienced Thai who could not recover from the loss and just managed three frames before bowing out to the Pakistani. Score in favour of Sajjad was 105 (104)-01, 84 (69)-04, 0-92, 82-47, 34-70 (70), 17-101 (62), 88-21, 62-26, 72 (63)-33. Second semi-final will be played between Yasin Merchant (India) and Issara Kachaiwong of Thailand later on Friday. The final will be played on Saturday. Sajjads impressive victory is success of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA)s policy of encouraging youngsters. For the past decade, the PBSA has managed to keep the flame of snooker burning against heavy odds. Finances and lack of emergence of exciting new talent were main hurdles in the way of the PBSA but still it somehow managed the funds and encouraged players. Their policy of giving contract to top-eight national players was one step that halted the slide of national standards. After Muhammad Yousuf who made Pakistan a force in snooker at world and Asian stage, the PBSA could not find a player who would carry the mantle of the veteran star. The PBSA executive committee felt that it had to encourage youngsters from where future stars would emerge. They held a number of junior events and advised its affiliate to do the same. During the last five years, a large number of youngsters from across Pakistan came on to national scene. Asjad Iqbal and Muhammad Sajjad were the two outstanding youngsters who impressed and finally proved with their performances. Both appeared in the current Asian championship. Under the contract policy, the eight top-ranked players get monthly payment. The top ranked get Rs 8000 per month and the second ranked Rs 7000. The players ranked three to eight get Rs 5000 each. The PBSA faced many difficulties in raising funds to keep its contract policy alive. But timely help from local sponsors like New Jubilee Insurance and government kept the sport afloat. Government of Pakistan always came to support the PBSA and released special grants to send Pakistan team on foreign tours helped the origination. Every time the PBSA faced financial crunch and then sports minister and Pakistan Sports Board came to its rescue. Former sports minister Pir Aftab Shah Jilani threw a financial lifeline to the PBSA when he held the portfolio of sports. The current federal sports minister Ejaz Jhakrani was gracious to continue that policy which has helped the PBSA to send teams to Asian junior 21 and the current Asian championship. DG Pakistan Sports Board Gilani like his minister was always PBSA friendly and gave it necessary funds whenever it needed. Without mentioning the Karachi Club, the story of emergence of snooker as leading sport in Pakistan would not be completed. The managing committee and the members of the club played important role which saw Muhammad Yousuf winning the world and the Asian title. Without the support of Karachi Club in the initial years under the leadership of Asghar Valika, the sports would not have what it is today. Current president of PBSA Alamgir Shaikh is successfully carrying out the policy laid down by former president.