TÊTE-À-TÊTE
The face of cue
BHUMIKA K.
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Billiards ace Pankaj Advani believes the sport needs to take a leaf out of cricket’s book .... An exclusive interview
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It must be arduous to be a world champion and have all the titles and trophies that matter in your kitty at just 24. But billiards ace Pankaj Advani is an untiring (and uncomplaining) champion, shouldering the responsibility of being the face of the sport, and enjoying it. In fact a biopic on him is taking shape too!
He has many firsts to his credit — the only one in the world to win twin titles (point and time formats) at the IBSF world billiards championships, not once but twice, youngest world champion in IBSF billiards, youngest Asian to win the world snooker title at 18 and world billiards at 19 and so on.
He’s recently won his third national billiards title in a row. He seems to have won everything there is! Excerpts from an interview
Does it scare you ever that you’ve achieved so much so early in your sporting career?
The best part of my sporting career is that I’ve always surpassed expectationsWhen others applaud me, it’s encouraging and flattering. Yet, when I go and play, I don’t expect anything of myself. I have no set targets and strategies.
Don’t you think you’ll burnout easily?
No. That’s why I pick and choose tournaments. I’ve learnt how to say no, though organisers feel I add value to their tournaments.
You don’t feel a need to slow down?
Definitely not! I want to inspire the younger generation to take up this sport seriously. And after winning my seventh world title, I have to shoulder this responsibility seriously. And I’m enjoying it.
Do you believe you have won everything there is to be won in your game?
I’ve won all possible titles but the real achievement will be when people know how difficult it is to maintain this position for five or 10 years. It’s not just connected with my personal achievement.
Do you regret missing out on a normal college life?
Yes. But when I did go, my principal would say, ‘Why are you here? Go practise and win games for us.’ I barely had 10 per cent attendance all three years.
Let’s talk about the biopic your principal Chenraj Jain is making.
I don’t know if we should be talking about this yet, because we are still checking the feasibility. It’s flattering that someone wants to tell my story.
You seem quite interested in Bollywood. Will this be a stepping stone to TV and films?
Let’s see. It’s too premature to say anything. Given an opportunity and if my schedule permits, why not? I have just one life and there’s no harm in trying out different things.
You also enjoy dancing. How serious are you about it?
I’ve taken lessons in Bollywood, hip-hop and freestyle dancing at home. But it’s difficult to go the whole hog because of lack of time.
Sportsmen seem to be successful at dancing, as dance reality shows have shown. Do you see any connections between dance and sport?
There are two things. One is rhythm; in sports too, you need rhythm, to be in sync with what’s happening. Both in dance and sports, you are a performer and you have an audience watching you. I think that’s what makes a sportsperson want to shake a leg.
Are people more clued in to cue sports?
Whether it’s shooting, boxing, billiards or snooker, every field has a super achiever who takes the sport forward.
People are now interested in how Abhinav Bindra or Vijender Singh achieved what they did. A face makes a difference.
When you started playing at 11, you had a height problem…
I was the shortest, youngest, smallest player ... my current coach Arvind Savur refused to train me because I was too short. He told me to grow a couple of inches and come back. And I did! It was a funny sight because I could cover only 10-15 per cent of the table and had to use a “rest” to reach across.
Were you inclined to sports?
I am a huge sports freak…if the Grand Slam or F1 is on, I’m glued to the telly. I used to play cricket, but after the leather ball came into the picture, I got scared.
But you never dreamt of being a cricketer?
No, and I would like to make a strong point. I don’t know why kids look only at the popularity and incentive for playing a particular sport. Why play if they are not passionate about it? I am passionate and that’s why I’ve achieved so much in the game.
Sports like cricket and football are considered “fast” to watch on TV as compared to cue sports. Any ideas to pep up the game?
Cricket and football are spectator-friendly sports and so get more TV coverage and sponsorship. All sports should take a leaf out of the BCCI on how to popularise a sport.
I would give a thumbs-up for cheerleaders, a change in the dress code, and exhibition matches at malls to attract youngsters to the game.
The sport is now opening up to these new ideas and you might see some changes at the World Snooker Championship at Hyderabad later this year.
We’re planning fashion shows, informal events and contests inviting the audience to come try a shot. Hopefully we’ll also see some involvement from Bollywood.
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