Abu Dhabi: After a last-ditch effort, Afghanistan’s No 1 cueist Saleh Mohammad Saleh made it to the 6 Reds and Team Asian Championship being held in Abu Dhabi.
The Afghanistan National Olympic Committee has not been able to provide much support to its sportspersons given the dire situation the country finds itself in the aftermath of war and Saleh has been no exception.
Saleh’s success in the sport may have brought him recognition but his battle with destiny is a never-ending one. Financial constraints have time and again forced him to miss tournaments and adversely impacted his training.
Saleh, who spent his early years as a refugee in Pakistan and even went on to represent his adopted country from 1988 to 2006, feels that the support for the sport has deteriorated tremendously over the past few years.
“There was a lot of support before but since the past few years it has been a struggle. Our Olympic Committee can’t do enough — not just for snooker but for other sports as well. Only cricket has managed to get some more recognition,” said the 43-year-old, adding that he spent anxious moments with his trip in the balance until the last minute.
“Our Olympic committee handed me the ticket at the last minute. I was not sure if I would participate at all. I have to bear other expenses though. I’m here because of the love for sport. But such worries are not good ahead of a big tournament as you would like to keep your mind free and focus only on training,” says Saleh, whose biggest success was reaching the 2003 finals of the IBSF World Snooker Championship, winning 14 consecutive matches before losing to India’s Pankaj Advani 5-11.
“It is not that I have lost my way. I still have enjoyed success in the recent past. In 2013, I became the Asian champion in Karachi. I have been making the quarter-finals and all but, yes, to keep improving, the conditions around you and the sport has to be conducive,” says the bronze medallist in the individual and team event at the 2002 Busan Asian Games, where he represented Pakistan.
Saleh is also doing his bit to popularise the sport in his home country. He owns a snooker parlour in Kabul that helps him in his practice and also to make a living.
“I have 24 tables there and that fends my expenses when on tour. People do turn up for the sport and some of them are good but the uncertainty surrounding the sport stops them from getting hooked to it full time,” says Saleh, who is trying to impress in the new 6 Reds format this time round. Like most, Saleh is also trying to master this new fast-paced game and, so far, his success has been restricted to the quarter-finals in Qatar last year.
“This is my second tournament but I would like to do well. I would like to make it to the knockouts and see what happens from then on. This format gives everyone a clear chance and anyone can be a winner. I would like to go as far as possible,” he said.
