The Good Doctor
Credit: World Snooker

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India's Dr Khizar Raoof is taking a year away from the medical profession to pursue his dream of playing snooker at the top level.

The 26-year-old from Hyderabad, India is reigning state champion.

He has entered the Q School - the new tournament which runs from May 11 to 31 and will have 12 places up for grabs on next season's professional circuit. The semi-finalists from each of three week-long tournaments will be handed a spot on the World Snooker Tour, where they will be competing for total prize money of £4.5million.

"The day I heard of this format, I told myself 'I am going come what may." Dr Raoof told World Snooker. "I started playing when I was 14 years old and since then I have been a player of considerable merit, performing quite well at the state and national level tournaments."

"Snooker unfortunately had to take a back seat soon after I joined medical school. Now, I have taken a year off work to prepare for and play in the Q School. It's a fantastic idea for players like me who cannot afford to stay a whole year in the UK to try to qualify for the main tour."

"Since childhood I have dreamt of being a world champion and now I have a shot at making it possible. I will give it everything I have got and irrespective of the outcome I am sure it will be a trip and experience I will cherish for a long time to come."

"Like every other budding snooker player I have idolized Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan. It would be a dream come true if I was able to rub shoulders with them and, who knows, if things go as planned I might play them on the main tour if I qualify from Q School."

UK :: 19 January 2011