Pankaj Advani Advocates for the Growth of Cue Sports in India
Advani's Vision for Cue Sports
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 2: Renowned Indian billiards and snooker player Pankaj Advani, who recently achieved his 29th world championship title, has called for increased efforts to popularize cue sports in India. He believes that launching a televised league, enhancing public awareness, simplifying the sport's various formats, and establishing more training academies could significantly boost the discipline's profile in the country.
Advani secured his latest world title by defeating England's Robert Hall with a score of 1906-1206 during the WBL World Billiards Championship final held in Birmingham earlier this October, showcasing an impressive break of 587 to clinch the victory.
In a conversation about elevating cue sports to a more mainstream status in India, Advani noted the limited visibility of sports outside of cricket and a few others. He remarked, "Aside from cricket and a handful of sports, I don't see many others gaining mainstream attention in India. Even disciplines like shooting or javelin have had their champions, but are they truly mainstream? I don't think so."
Advani emphasized that a televised league could significantly enhance the visibility of cue sports, making it more accessible to fans. He also mentioned that the various formats of billiards and snooker can confuse viewers, highlighting the necessity to simplify the sport for a broader audience.
"I genuinely believe that a televised league could work wonders for our sport. The multiple formats can be overwhelming, and we need to clarify them for the public. People often ask how I won 29 world titles at 41. I explain that there are different formats in billiards and snooker, both short and long. I have triumphed in all of them, but the confusion remains. We should introduce a quick, engaging format that is easy for spectators to enjoy. Television coverage is crucial for enhancing understanding," he added.
The cue sports icon also stressed the importance of state associations and government investment in building more academies, recognizing India's strength in precision sports. He stated, "We have a few academies, but we need many more to open doors for countless young talents. India has no shortage of talent in cue sports, shooting, chess, or archery. Our performance in precision sports is often superior to that in physical sports, as demonstrated in the recent Asian Games, where we excelled even in athletics."