CHENNAI: A handful of cue sports enthusiasts had the privilege of watching the current IBSF World champion Pankaj Advani in action at the National 6-Red snooker championship here on Wednesday. The Bengalurean, a serial winner of titles at the world level, opened his campaign with two straightforward wins in the group stages. He beat Abhimanyu Gandhi 4-0 and R Girish 4-2.
Speaking after his second match, he had good things to say about Chennai’s interest in the sport. “It is always great to come back to the city where there is a lot of respect for the sport and the players. The city too has good interest in snooker and there is lot of talent here.”
Even though S Shrikrishna, a local talent and crowd favourite, lost to Girish in the groups, he name-checked his potential.
“A couple of youngsters like Anupama in the girls and Shrikrishna in the boys are good. Shrikrishna is highly talented. He has great potential. He will go places. He has played a few international events at the junior level. He now has to play the senior events and gain experience.”
Even though he is an 18-time world billiards and snooker champion, Advani is never one to say no to playing at the nationals.
The answer to the driving force behind is motivation is interesting. “Sometimes it not about only the numbers or titles. I enjoy playing the game which is close to my heart. I love to travel and play for the country.
“The way I play and the manner in which I win and excel matters. I love to play and win like how Roger Federer does in tennis. So playing the game effortlessly and smoothly like Federer gives me a high.”
Even then, does the 32-year-old find it a bit weird when players come and address him as ‘sir?’ “Yes, I feel awkward, but I feel it is out of respect. I tell them I am not in old age, I am just 32. Maybe I am half-veteran,” he joked.
He also makes the important point that the sport is becoming younger every day. “I think every sport is getting younger. It has been there right from the time of Wilson Jones and Michael Ferreira. Geet Sethi brought with him a dash of youth. In China, kids who are nine to ten years are making an impression.”
Most casual fans do not make the grade from pool to billiards or snooker and Advani has a suggestion for that. He feels that 6-Red is the best way to bring new audience into the sport.
“Personally I prefer billiards and snooker among the three formats. 6-red is for television purposes. You need the game to catch up on with the audience. It is highly unpredictable, it is anybody’s game on a given day. There is no element of luck.’’
He cites his first match of the tournament – against Girish – as an example. “You see the game I played with R Girish today (Wednesday) was a bit close, that is the nature of the 6-red format. You have to be sharp on your toes. The game is not won till the last ball is potted. I guess there will be lot of upsets over the next few days.” Will he be proved right? Wait and find out.
ashok.v@newindianexpress.com