Chennai: Rafath Habib, the gold medallist at the Asian Games in the snooker doubles was accorded a heroic welcome at the Chennai airport on Friday.

Rafath Habib, who struck a gold along with Yasmin Merchant in the snooker doubles, told reporters soon after his arrival from Busan via Delhi that he and his partner worked hard to earn a medal in the Asian Games at Busan.

"I am thrilled that we have won the gold medal," he said. Though he had made some mistakes in initial stages, due to encouragement given by partner Yasmin Merchant, he played his natural game, he said adding that snooker should be included in the Olympic Games also.

Asked about his future plans, he said he would continue to play to bring laurels to the country. Members of the Tamil Nadu Billiards Association (TNBA) had made arrangements to accord a rousing reception to the medal winner.

PTI