The diligent scribe leveraged his limited knowledge of Botany to delve into the intricacies of the Banyan tree, revealing that the expansive canopy of this majestic tree impedes the penetration of sunlight, causing surrounding plants to perish due to insufficient photosynthesis. In the realm of Indian sports, cricket emerges as a towering Banyan tree, monopolizing the limelight both in letter and spirit. However, the recent crowning of Pankaj Advani as the World Billiards Champion for a record 26th time brings to light the paradoxical lack of due recognition for this accomplished sportsman and his tribe.
The saga of fairy tale success enjoyed by the Indians in the arena of billiards and snooker is indeed commendable. What Pankaj Advani has achieved is unparalleled. But the story of putting Indian billiards on the world map started with Wilson Jones in 1958. Even Michael Ferreira, Ashok Shandilya and Geet Sethi too put their best foot forward to bring glory to the Indian billiards and snooker on the world stage. But the grateful nation failed to acknowledge the sui generis success of these legendary sportsmen.
Coming back to Pankaj Advani who is a a resolute professional athlete, draws inspiration from Golda Meir, the first female Prime Minister of Israel, urging individuals to trust themselves and cultivate a self that brings enduring happiness. Reflecting on historical instances of non-recognition of groundbreaking achievements, the oversight of Wilson Jones’ ascent to the World Champions podium in 1958 resonates, a story that only garnered acknowledgment in 1963 with the Arjuna Award, followed by the Padma Shri Award in 1965 and the Dronacharya Award in 1996. Notably, Jones marked the first Indian to achieve World Champion status in any sport.
While winning a World Championship traditionally evokes a national euphoria, Advani’s recent triumphs, such as the inaugural World Team Billiards Championship (with Rupesh Shah, Devendra Joshi and Ashok Shandilya) in 2014, have not received the national acclaim they merit. Advani’s journey, commencing with his victory at the IBSF World Amateur Snooker Championship in 2003, showcases a remarkable trajectory, with successive triumphs in the IBSF World 6-Red World Snooker Championship.
Despite billiards not enjoying widespread popularity in India, luminaries like Wilson Jones, Michael Ferreira, Ashok Shandilya, Geet Sethi, and now Pankaj Advani have significantly contributed to elevating the sport’s profile. The Billiards and Snooker Federation of India, recognizing this potential, has intensified efforts to popularize the sports at the grassroots level. Celebrated players like Michael Ferreira and Ashok Shandilya have further enriched India’s billiard legacy, solidifying its presence on the international stage.
Geet Sethi’s impressive career, adorned with eight world billiards titles, stands as a testament to India’s prowess in the game. The latest luminary in this illustrious lineage, Pankaj Advani, marked a historic milestone by clinching both format and time format titles in the 2005 World Billiards Championship. His achievements have led to the Arjuna Award in 2004, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2006, Padma Shri in 2009, and Padma Bhushan in 2018.
However, the euphoria that evokes nation-wide celebrations, accompanied by bhangra, beating of drums and bursting of crackers have not been witnessed in the podium success of Jones, Ferreira, Shandilya, Sethi and Advani. Their success has been confined to the realms of media headlines They remain unsung heroes of the Indian sports.
Reflecting on the commendable achievements of Indian billiard players prompts consideration of Bo Bennett’s words, emphasizing that a dream transforms into a goal through proactive steps toward its realization. The rich history and continued success of Indian billiards players exemplify the realisation of dreams through unwavering dedication and achievement.
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