The World Snooker Championship, scheduled to take place in November in India, is now in a spot of bother, with the IBSF warning that visa complications for Pakistani players could result in India losing the hosting rights.
In an exclusive interview, Abdul Qadir, the Pakistan Billiard and Snooker Association chief, was very clear about the situation: “If the visas are not issued to Pakistani players, the tournament could be shifted to some other country.”
This is not the first time that this problem has cropped up. Back in 2024, Pakistani players were denied entry to a major Indian tournament on the same visa complications, sparking debate about fairness and sports diplomacy. “We have already made our point clear to the IBSF,” Qadir said.
The implications are serious because the World Snooker Championship is one of the most elite tournaments in the sport, with the best players from Asia and other parts of the world in attendance. Recently, Pakistani players, including young guns Mohammad Asif and Irfan, made headlines by reaching the last 16 of the Asian Snooker Championship, indicating that the sport is on the up in the continent.
Qadir emphasized that Pakistan is prepared to join once the visas are sorted out. “The championship is scheduled in November in India. Once the Indian visas are obtained, we will follow the instructions of the Government of Pakistan. If they instruct us to go, our players will participate; otherwise, we will remain where we are.”
The warning from the IBSF points to the complex relationship between sports and politics in the region. In situations where politics spill over into sports, the sports body is under pressure to ensure that all eligible players are allowed to take part. Failure to resolve the visa problem will damage India’s reputation as a venue for international sports and set a dangerous precedent for future events.
For the fans and players, the situation casts a cloud over what should be a celebration of talent, concentration, and international friendship. As November approaches, all eyes—India, Pakistan, and the IBSF—will be on whether sports and politics can come together before the first cue ball is struck.
