Press Trust of India
New Delhi, Nov 23: Pankaj Advani stated Tuesday that he enjoys juggling between billiards and snooker which has helped him to achieve success. Advani clinched his 15th world title by winning the 6-red IBSF Snooker Championships in Egypt which concluded, Saturday. In the final, he defeated young Chinese talent Zhua Xintong, 8-6. It was his fourth snooker world title in addition to the 11 world titles that he possesses in billiards.
“People who follow the game will now how tough it is to juggle with two formats at the highest level,” Advani said Monday. “It feels absolutely great to be glorified. It is wonderful to take cuesports to great heights and represent the country and win medals,” he added.
Advani also became the first player in cuesports to pocket the long (15-Red) and the short (6-Red) format –he won the ‘long’ title in Karachi in August , this year. Winning titles may have become a habit for the great player but Advani is happier to cap off the season on a high. “It was great to win the 15-Red World Snooker after 12 years. Winning my third title this year was a wonderful way to end this season,” he said.
Advani also stated that young talents in India should be nurtured. “China and Thailand have shown the way how youngsters should be trained an developed. India should follow suit otherwise, there will be a dearth of talent when the present crop of players will retire – say in the next five-10 years,” said Advani. “We definitely need to have good young reserve pool and the federation should look into the matter,” he added.
