Karachi(Cliff News)The PBSA is pleased to update regarding Hamza Akbar (former Asian Champion 2015) who became the first Pakistan Snooker Player to qualify for the WPBSA Professional Circuit in the U.K.As substantial funds are required to play in the WPBSA Professional Circuit in the U.K. the Honorable Minister Sports (IPC) had announced a Cash Award/Financial Assistance for Hamza upon his winning the coveted Asian Title for Pakistan and a sum of Rs. 2.5 Million towards his Professional Circuit expenditure in the U.K. as Hamza turned professional on a two year contract with the WPBSA.Almost one year has passed by, the announced Cash Award/Financial Assistance till date is being awaited by Hamza Akbar who is presently playing Pro-Circuit. During the year when Hamza visited Pakistan he once again met the Sports Minister with the undersigned in Islamabad and updated him on his Performance/Ranking in the Pro-Circuit which had upgraded from 136 to 72. The Minister lauded the improvement in Hamza’s ranking and once again assured him the release of fundThe Association sincerely would like to appeal to the Honorable Sports Minister IPC to kindly fulfill his commitment to Hamza Akbar and order the immediate release of the said, announced Financial Assistance by him in June 2015.Since, Hamza required a total of Rs. 4 Million for a two year contract with the WPBSA the PBSA took the initiative to arrange the initial funds for Hamza to support his pro-circuit expenditure for at least one year and arranged the funds through the Association, Sponsors and Donors amounting to Rs. 1.5 Million as Hamza requires further funding of Rs. 2.3 Million (U.K. £ 17,000.00) to conclude his contract in May 2017.Hamza Akbar has just informed us that he is in great financial crises in the U.K. and is facing great difficulty to manage his living costs and other necessary expenses. The Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association has come to his rescue by extending further Financial Support to Hamza through its own resources to the tune of Rs. 500,000/- during the year, besides funds arranged by Hamza’s own family & friends. The total deficit after paying the above amount is around Rs. 1.8 Million.It is pertinent to mention here that the Government, Ministry of Inter Provincial Co-ordination (Sports) should also carry some responsibility to help and support Hamza, since he is the first Pakistan Snooker Player who is playing the professional circuit in the U.K., by releasing the funds as announced, enabling Hamza to complete his Professional Career till May 2017 and Insha Allah to win more laurels for Pakistan.