Pakistan, Oct. 11 -- Pakistan's veteran sports administrator and former President of the Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSA), Ali Asghar Valika, passed away here on Friday after a prolonged illness. He was 78. His younger brother Abbas Valika confirmed.

Widely regarded as the Father of Pakistan Snooker, Valika played a pioneering role in transforming snooker from a recreational pastime into one of the country's most competitive and organised sports. He served as PBSA President for over two decades from 1988 and also held key international offices, including Senior Vice President of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) and President of the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports (ACBS).

Under his leaders...