Hamza Akbar And Sydney Wilson Withdrawals

Pakistan’s top player Hamza Akbar has been forced to pull out of the Betfred World Championship qualifying rounds due to visa issues.

He was due to play Amine Amiri in the first round on Wednesday and had intended to travel to the UK, but despite all efforts has been unable to obtain a visa.

Both WST and the WPBSA had been working with contacts at the Visa Office to exhaust every avenue but unfortunately these efforts were unsuccessful.

Morocco’s Amiri receives a bye into the second round, where he will face Martin Gould.

England’s Sydney Wilson has also pulled out, due to ill health.  He suffered from fever symptoms and notified us as required, and we appreciate his honesty in informing us. He tested negative for Covid-19 but our rules outline that anyone symptomatic within 14 days of their scheduled arrival must declare this and must not attend the event.

Wilson was due to face Lukas Kleckers on Wednesday, so Germany’s Kleckers receives a bye to the second round, where he will play Sunny Akani.