Doha: Ahmed Saif entered the history books by becoming the first snooker player from Qatar to turn professional.
The 29-year-old was among the four players to make it through Q School qualifying event held at Sheffield, England, last week to earn a place on the World Snooker Tour for the next two years.
Saif, beat Jamie Clarke 4-1 in the final round with a top break of 57 to become the first snooker professional from Qatar.
“I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time. It makes me very proud to be the first pro snooker player from Qatar,” said Ahmed, who represented the country at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
Ahmed booked his place on the main Tour after victories over England’s Zach Richardson, Michael Georgiou, Antony Parsons and Wales’ duo of Duane Jones and Jamie Rhys Clarke in the matches held at World Snooker Academy.
“I’ve played very well in Sheffield and won a few close matches. I just hope I can play well on the main Tour, keep my place, enjoy myself and do well for my country. Snooker is becoming popular now in Qatar and hopefully my success can help. It would be great to have a ranking event there,” added Ahmed.
Saif will be leading Qatar’s charge at the twin Asian events in Doha, the 6-Red individual event and the team championship, which begin today at the commencing at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall.
For the Qatari cueist the Doha event will be his last championship as an amateur, but he is not unduly worried by the expectation from the home fans.
“I am taking this championship as any other championship, which I used to look forward as an amateur player. Only last week I turned professional player, but for the actual result to show in my play it will take another one year.
“I need to play against the world champions and learn from my mistakes and that will make me a better player, it is a long journey,” Ahmed said.
Qatar coach Mike Russell too warned Saif’s pro status will not bring results overnight.
“The feeling of Saif having turned pro is yet to sink in, as it happened last week and he was back in Qatar on Tuesday, and we were also in the mist of our preparations for the 6-Red.
“We are happy for him. He has worked very hard for it. It is a stiff learning curve for him for the next one year and only then the results will show. We should not expect quick results,” warned the Englishman.
The other players who turned professional were Switzerland’s Alexander Ursenbacher, Ryan Clark and Ross Muir, both from England. The Peninsula
