HAMID Khan’s induction to snooker in Wagga has been overwhelmingly successful.
The Sydneysider moved to Wagga six months ago and teamed up with snooker stalwart Nick Kaletta to win the Wagga snooker pennant final at Wagga RSL on Saturday.
Playing under the Screwbacks banner, Khan and Kaletta swept aside Brian Bentley and Jayne Taylor from Long Shots to capture the coveted title with a three games clean sweep in the best of five games decider.
Khan defeated Taylor (63-39) in his game, and Kaletta defeated Bentley (68-32) and Taylor (64-62) in his two games as the Screwbacks won the prize.
Bentley and Taylor were worthy contenders, beating the winning duo in the minor premiership game.
“They’re a handy combination, we had to fight our way back to the final,” Kaletta said.
The runners-up also qualified for the 2014 final.
On Saturday an elated Khan enjoyed his first taste of pennant victory, “I was delighted, I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
After living in Sydney for around five years and Pakistan for most of his life Khan is relishing the camaraderie in Wagga.
“I love it here, there’s a very good atmosphere, a good community of snooker players, and we’ve got some good competition,” Khan said.
What unites Kaletta and Khan, aside from snooker prowess, is their passion for the sport.
Strategising, planning, calculating each shot is a crucial part of the fun.
“It’s a thinking man’s game,” Kaletta said.
At a separate interview Khan echoed Kaletta.
“It’s a mind game; you’ve got to play with strategy.”.
Saturday night was most rewarding for Kaletta who also clinched the premiership in 2009 and 2012.
“Winning it again was real good, with a new partner it was even better,” he said.
Kaletta was impressed with Khan when they first met at the RSL club.
“He seemed a very capable player, pretty steady, he knows the game, he knows how to handle himself on the table,” Kaletta said.
With a new competition underway in a month, Kaletta and Khan welcome interested newcomers to take part.
