QUEEN’S ROAD:Two talented city girls, Varshaa Sanjeev and Kaivalya Velagapudi are among the five girls and three boys who will represent India at the IBSF World Under-21 Snooker Championships to be held in Bucharest, Romania.
Varshaa trained under national coach Sanjay Sawant for a week in Mumbai and later practised at the Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA). Kaivalya worked with coaches Jayaram and Kishore at the KSBA. The two had to rush to New Delhi for their visas, come back and then board the flight to Bucharest.
“I trained under Sanjay sir in Mumbai for sometime and now I am training with Kishore sir. I am prepared. The competition is going to be tough with players from Thailand being our main rivals. But I hope to do well and be among the top three,” said Varshaa, who was the youngest player to represent India in world championships a couple of years ago.
But the two of them have had to pay from their pockets to represent the country. The cost of the top two players in the Under-21 nationals are borne by the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI). Some of the players have sought help from their respective state governments.
“Because of my exams, I could not play in the nationals this year. But I have approached the Department of Youth Empowerment and Services and I hope they will bear my travel expenses or at least reimburse it later. Last time when I went for the world event, they had sponsored my air tickets,” said Varshaa.
Kaivalya Velagapudi will be making her debut for the national team. “I have worked hard with Jayaram and Kishore sir and hope to do well. I was not aware of the formalities to seek government help for my travel so my parents are footing my bill,” she said.
With the state government giving grants worth crores of rupees for other sports, it is a crying shame that two under-19 girls have to pay from their own pockets to represent the country.
In any case, their performances will be keenly watched. Varshaa was a big draw in England when she was in the fray for the World Women’s Billiards event. She has had the scalps of a few seasoned customers in the tournament in the country and a podium finish will only inspire her to do more.
“We have been trying to help them in all possible ways. Varshaa is a talented player and we have high hopes of her winning a medal,” said Balasubramaniam, secretary, BSFI.