Indian cueist Pankaj Advani, who earlier this year created history by becoming the first player in the world to win world titles in the long and shorter formats of both billiards and snooker answered few questions from his fans. Advani has won 10 world titles in billiards and two in snooker.
As a part of the Indian of The Year 2014, there was a live Facebook Q&A with Pankaj Advani. Here are few question answered by the fans:
Q Raghu Singh: First of all Happy New Year, wish you have a great year ahead. I would like to ask you who is your favorite player in the game of snooker? I am an average player can you suggest something to improve my game? Thanks a lot.
A Pankaj Advani: Ronnie is the man! To improve, seek professional coaching and also watch videos of top players.
Q Prinka Kohli: How do you plan to popularise Billiards amongst Indian youth?
A Pankaj Advani: I'd love to hold exhibition/coaching sessions for enthusiasts.
Q Rishabh Wahi: Hi Pankaj, what motivated you to make such an unconventional career choice?
A Pankaj Advani: I never knew it was a career choice that I was making, Rishabh. I just played it for fun, and still do. Somewhere down the line, my hobby has turned into a profession.
Q Himanshu Jha: Recently some of other sports have come up with their own league games can we expect in future a league version of billiards too?
A Pankaj Advani: Definitely. Our National Federation (BSFI) is working on it, Himanshu!
Q Does the recent defeat against a 14 Year Old(if am not wrong) challenge you in any way to improve your game? Even after the big wins that you have had? How did you took the defeat and how did it effect you?
A Pankaj Advani: Snooker is an unpredictable game. My young Chinese opponent played well under pressure. After taking an initial lead, I failed to capitalise. Every defeat teaches me something new.
Q Ankit Kumar: Hi Pankaj.. Just wanted to shift the focus a bit from Snooker and Billiards to Cricket. Would be great to know your opinion on our captain Dhoni's retirement yesterday?
A Pankaj Advani: While the announcement seemed untimely, I feel if there ever was a great leader in Indian cricket, it is MSD!
Q Manoj Beborta: Hi Pankaj. How can India produce some more players like you as this sport needs more inspiration and guidance?
A Pankaj Advani: There is no dearth of talent in our country, Manoj. As long as they are passionate and committed, I see no reason why we can't produce many more champions.
Q Sanika Patil: You withdrew from the snooker circuit in UK and returned to India to focus on billiards. was it a tough decision?
A Pankaj Advani: Not really, Sanika. Happy to be back home and playing both. The streak of 4 world titles won in 2014 made the decision worthwhile.
Q Jey Sushil: I would like to know why sports like billiards are not very popular in India. why it is considered as an elite sports? Is it that expensive or it is just the attitude it brings with itself -- you know the dress code and all.
A Pankaj Advani: As a nation, we still need to warm up to precision sports like shooting, archery, etc (not only go for sports where we can whistle, scream and cheer loudly). Billiards/snooker are not expensive sports at all, and neither are they for the elite. Personally, I would like to see the dress code relaxed a bit.
Q Gurdeep Chawla: How would you assess your double triumph in the IBSF World Billiards Championships in Leeds?
A Pankaj Advani: Given that I lost my first match of the tournament (in the group stage), I'm glad that was also the last one I lost Never knew I would end up creating history by winning the grand double (point and time formats in the same year) for a third time. Feel blessed!
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