ISLAMABAD - Former world amateur and Asian snooker champion M Asif, Asian Senior Individual Squash champion Aamir Atlas Khan and ex-Asian junior individual squash champion Syed Ali Mujtaba Bokhari will finally meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today (Wednesday) at 11:15 am here at the PM House.
The meeting was twice previously cancelled due to the prime ministers tight schedule and other important engagements. Talking to The Nation, M Asif said: “I am very thankful to the PM for sparing precious time for them. I am quite hopeful the PM not only release my long overdue cash incentives but also duly recognise my unmatched records and achievements for the country.”
“I will request the PM to pay special attention towards snooker promotion in the country. We have great potential in producing one after another world champion but the only need is to provide them with proper facilities and jobs to boost snooker players,” he added.
“I am long being deprived of Rs 10 million as winning bonus for winning the World Cup and Rs 5 million for winning Asian Snooker Championship, but despite a lapse of two years, I am still running from post to pillar to get my rewards. I am very confident the PM will not only order release of my long-standing cash incentives but also announce attractive incentives keeping in mind my performances for the country,” Asif concluded.
Sharing his views, Aamir said: “I am very happy the Prime Minister has invited me for a much-awaited meeting. I have won Asian championship after a gap of 15 years, but it really hurt when no one bothered to even say a few words of appreciation, awarding with cash incentives is a far cry. It is very unfortunate that only cricketers are showered with countless benefits despite they hardly win any major title, but on the other hand, the players who earn name, fame and laurels for the country at international level, no one bother to announce even meager cash incentives for them.” “I expect reasonable cash incentives for not only me, Ali and Asif but also for other favorite sons and daughters of the soil,” Aamir concluded.
Ex-Asian Junior Individual squash champion Ali said: “I was champion when I got a call of meeting with the PM and now I am former champion. I have pinned great hopes with my meeting with the PM. I have no house to live and living in a rented house. My father has sold our own home just for my passion for squash. I have played key role in helping the country winning the Asian Junior Team Squash Championship. I just expect the PM to allocate a house for my family so I may concentrate on my squash and help the country in winning more medals in near future.”