Akbar books spot at open

Photo: Darren Robinson

Hamza Akbar

OLDHAM-based snooker player Hamza Akbar can look forward to the Indian Open after coming through qualifying ­in Preston - but Moorside's Michael Wild bowed out.

Twenty-year-old Akbar, in his second season on the professional tour, met Rugby's Chris Wakelin in the best of seven frames contest.

Akbar recorded breaks of 68 and 50 in what turned out to be a comfortable 4-1 victory in the end.

Based at the Oldham Snooker Academy, Akbar will now head to the next stage in Hyderabad Deccan.

Wild made a good start against Cheltenham's Jack Lisowski, but after clinching the opener, he went on to lose 4-1.

Meanwhile, Hamza has been dealt a blow in his attempt to gain extra financial backing.

Hamza claimed he was promised funding from the Pakistani authorities after his triumph at last year's Asian Snooker Championship in Kuala Lumpur ­- but only a fraction has been forthcoming so far.

He told the Dawn media outlet: "I'll utilise whatever little funds I have in my kitty.

"The government has failed to fulfil its promise and offer the remaining reward money."

Abkar said he recently visited the sports minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada who, with regret, was unable to hand over any more funds.

Best-of-nine frame qualifying for the World Open in China now starts in Preston, before attention turns to the Riga Open in Latvia, with qualifying for that tournament also taking place in Preston this weekend.