Gala dinner for Akbar

Photo: Darren Robinson

Hamza Ackbar and his manager Mohammed Nisar

A GALA fundraising dinner is being staged for Oldham-based snooker professional Hamza Akbar.

The Werneth Suite, on Manchester Road, is the venue for the black tie event on Sunday, March 26 (7pm).

Guests include ex-Lancashire and England bowler Sajid Mahmood and boxer Haroon Khan, a 2010 Commonwealth bronze medallist and brother of former WBA and IBF world light welterweight champion, Amir.

Akbar (23), who practices at the Oldham Snooker Academy, competes on the World Tour and is preparing for the first qualifying round of the World Championship at the start of next month.

The Pakistani won the Asian Championship in 2015 and recently beat Stuart Bingham in the one-frame Snooker Shoot-Out in Watford.

Tickets are £20 and are available from Akbar's manager Mohammed Nisar on 07958 380375.

The evening is sponsored by Gourmet Steak and Grill Restaurant, with Sangem Radio (Huddersfield) providing the sound system.