Advani promises to encourage billiards, snooker in Goa

PANJIM: Undisputable World Champion Pankaj Advani, India’s poster boy of cue sports, said that he would visit Goa regularly to support the sport that is being taken forward by Play Zone Vasco in Goa.

Pankaj, the first player in the world to win world titles in the long and shorter formats of both billiards and snooker by pocketing the IBSF World 6-Red snooker Championship, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Eygpt, this year shared moments with the media, Goa Football Association members and footballers at Goa Development Football Council (GDFC) hall at Patto. 

The GDFC had organized a felicitation theme “Celebration of a Champion”, celebrating the presence of a world champion Pankaj Advani, a recipient of Arjuna Award (2004), 

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2006) and Padma Shri (2009). 

Advani informed the media that he was on a holiday in Goa. “It is great to be part of a celebration,” he said. 

“Whatever sport you follow we respect each other. Sports have a lot to do with integrity. As a sportsperson you should respect other sports and so I am here to recognise what the GFDC is doing.” 

Talking about champions’ perspective Advani said, “It is a matter of the mind. It is what we as champions have achieved. We produce what comes from our inside. Sir Walt Disney was once asked, Sir how could you create such a huge thing (Walt Disney).Sir Disney said,” I saw it with my mind. A vision and followed it,” Advani exemplified. 

With regards to adaptability between the two complex forms of game, billiards and snooker, Advani disclosed that the approach to snooker and billiard is very difficult, but I managed to break the myth. It requires patience and adaptability. Whenever there is a shorter format I accept the challenge and for longer format I change my approach accordingly.” 

“Both are very different in style and technique. But you got to deal with the mind. My brother Shree is my mind coach and has helped all along in this aspect,” Advani pointed.

GDFC Member Secretary Elvis Gomes disclosed that the GDFC believes and respect all sports. Children must play some sports or the other and we respect this. Though, in the GDFC we are focused to following and developing football, being the official sport of Goa.

Dr Rufino Monteiro said that Pankaj was an example to us and questioned as to why Goa could produce champion. 

“The State government is backing us to the hilt and we have taken upon us the challenge to produce champions,” Dr Rufino said.