Guangzhou: Thoroughly disappointed with his showing in the snooker competition at the 16th Asian Games here, the UAE's champion Mohammad Shehab Al Hashemi has turned his gaze to performing at next month's World Snooker Championships to be held in Syria.
"Yes, this is a huge disappointment for me personally. I came here so well prepared, but then things just did not work out for either of us," Shehab shrugged after going down 2-4 to Thailand's Dechawa Poomjaeng on Thursday.
Much was expected from the experienced UAE duo of Mohammad Al Joker and Shehab after their well-domination of events in the Gulf region and even at the Asian level in the past. But both seemed to struggle on the brand-new Star tables while making their shots.
"The tables are good, but it is the green baize that is causing all the problems. Inside the locker rooms all players have been equivocal about the heaviness of the baize and somehow the balls are not just carrying through," Shehab told Gulf News.
"I am not trying to make excuses. This is the fact. So the best thing now would be to put aside this disappointment of the Asian Games and concentrate on the next event," he added.
However, this competition too may take a back seat should the youngster not get his leave sanctioned.
Work commitments
"I now work full-time and it is difficult for me to take leave so often and attend competitions. Besides I am also doing my Masters degree from the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in Abu Dhabi. Should these things clash then I think I will opt to stay behind and pay more attention to my studies," Shehab added.
Bungled up: Al Joker at a loss to explain defeat
Mohammad Al Joker, the UAE's most experienced snooker player was at a loss to explain how he bungled a 3-0 lead and lose to Singapore's Ang Boon Chin in his second round match in the men's snooker singles at the 16th Asian Games here on Thursday.
"I can't explain anything. You watched the match and saw what happened," Al Joker said after surrendering the seventh and final frame to his Singaporean opponent in the early hours of Friday.
"I am at a loss to explain, and of course it is hugely disappointing that we have to go back without any medal," he added.
