Islamabad : The World Minorities Alliance held a press conference at the residence of former federal minister J. Salik to honor Pakistan’s renowned snooker champion, Babar Masih, following his remarkable victory against Indian legend Pankaj Advani.
Babar Masih, addressing the media, expressed his gratitude and shared the emotional journey behind his recent success. “I tried hard, but God blessed me with this prominent success,” he said. “Every victory brings happiness, but when the match against India was announced, the public response overwhelmed me. People were calling non-stop, saying, ‘You have to win this one.’ After the recent conflict, this felt like another major triumph for the country.”
Reflecting on the high-stakes match, Babar recounted, “Pankaj Advani, a legendary player with 25 to 30 international titles, won the first frame. But then I fought back, winning four frames in a row to seal the match.”
He also opened up about his long-standing struggles off the table. “I’ve been Asian champion three times, world champion once, and have won four gold, seven silver, and seven bronze medals — but I never received the recognition or rewards I deserved. The federation only supports official tours, and even then, there are broken promises. Private tours are completely ignored.”
J. Salik, founder of the World Minorities Alliance, commended Babar Masih’s perseverance and excellence. “In the current national mood, Babar’s victory feels like a double treat after the war,” he remarked. “It’s heartbreaking that young heroes like Babar are pushed into inferiority complexes due to the government’s neglect. The state must stand behind such talent, and the media must give them the spotlight they deserve.”
The World Minorities Alliance called on the government to immediately recognize and reward Babar Masih and implement policies that ensure sustained support for minority athletes and sportsmen.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
