The Hindu : Sport / Billiards & Snooker : Advani returns to rousing reception

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Friday, Sep 01, 2006

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Sport - Billiards & Snooker

Advani returns to rousing reception

Principal Correspondent

BANGALORE: Khel Ratna Pankaj Advani returned to his base and second home, the Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA), to a rousing reception, here on Thursday afternoon.

After the World Snooker team championship at San Jose (USA) when the coveted Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna was conferred on him, Advani headed straight for the Rashtrapathi Bhavan on his return from the US on Monday.

It was his call at the Rashtrapathi Bhavan for the third successive year. He was there in 2004 to receive the Arjuna Award and last year, he was present to witness his mentor Arvind Savur getting the Dronacharya Award. "I don't think I will be there next year, but being there is an awesome experience," said the cue ace.

"During the World Team Snooker, I was often told by my team-mates to cool down... I was so excited on getting this news that before every match I used to be all charged up. Yes we did have a good outing... but unfortunately fizzled out against England in the final."

On the award, Advani said, "it marks a new beginning. Well, after every achievement... every honour, one has to retrace and begin all over again."

Training abroad

On training abroad, Advani said, "Well, basically, it is all about getting used to the conditions there be it for training or match play. Wish we could get those English players to experience the conditions in Asia and see how they feel about it."

Next on his agenda is the Asian Games. "Obviously, the Asian Games is very high in my order of priority. I have not worked on the intricacies but will be scheduling sessions with the Asian Games in mind," he said. B.V. Srinivasa Murthy, a member of the victorious Indian Senior team at the World Team Snooker event in San Jose and a member of the KSBA was also felicitated along with Advani.

"It was a thrilling experience and we wept after Geet clinched the 11th frame in a thriller. He was down and virtually out (down 64-1) when he pulled off a sensational frame. I don't think I will see another frame of that class," he said.

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