Former snooker champion Hamza Akbar returns to UK to continue World Tour

MANCHESTER: Former Asian Snooker champion Hamza Akbar has finally arrived in the UK to continue his world tour.

The 23-year old talented snooker player returned to England on Monday, after struggling with his UK visa issue since some time. He is now preparing for the 2017 Welsh Open to be held in Cardiff next week.

Akbar missed the China Open, Scottish Open, and German Masters, as problems with issuance of his UK visa slumped Akbar’s world ranking to 103.

The Oldham-based player’s manager, Mohammed Nisar said: “He has been able to practice at University of Agriculture Faisalabad’s snooker academy but the tables are different from what he is accustomed to. He is very talented and we hope he will adjust soon.”

"He needs a couple of wins now to boost his confidence and finances. He's got four busy months coming up so hopefully he will do well in all competitions. We would like to thank the Counsel General of Pakistan in Manchester Dr. Zahoor Ahmed and Oversees Pakistanis Foundation president Barrister Amjad Malik who helped us a lot., and also Simon Brownell at World Snooker, as she worked tirelessly to sort out this situation."

Akbar is set to face 2015 world champion Stuart Bingham in the first round of the 2017 Welsh Open that starts on Monday. Later in February, he will participate in the Coral Snooker Shoot Out at the Watford Colosseum, followed by the 2017 Gibraltar Open in March and the Betfred World Championship’s qualifying round in April.