The Hindu : Sport / Billiards & Snooker : Advani's mother absolutely elated

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 22, 2005

Sport

Sport - Billiards & Snooker

Advani's mother absolutely elated

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE, MARCH 21. Many purists would not have backed the teenager in the time format. But then Advani, a delight at the table, showed his class in both versions to add yet another glittering trophy.

Two individuals have been chiefly responsible for his progress. His mother, Mrs. Kajal Advani who weathered all the turbulence in her life (losing her husband when Pankaj was just a four-year-old) to bring up the lad and his coach/mentor Arvind Savur.

Mrs. Advani said, "I am elated... words fail me in this moment of happiness. When I spoke to him early this morning (at about 4 a.m IST), Pankaj seemed pretty upbeat. He deserves all the success. He has sacrificed his youthful years practising at the table, and those efforts are paying off. Yes there is a surprise of sorts here... He practices more of snooker and true he won the IBSF title but this double triumph in billiards is mind-blowing. The string of victories in the last three months surely has boosted his confidence immensely."

Arvind Savur said, "it's a fitting reward for the youngsters prowess and powers of concentration. We all knew that he was gifted but his adeptness at the table in both forms of the championship was simply superb. It's his mental strength, which is very difficult to see in a boy of 19. I'm on cloud nine."

The Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA) was beehive of activity. Both Madhavdas Aildas, the president and secretary S. Prakash sounded "mighty proud." "Our boy has done it again ... and becoming the youngest player is all the more significant."

The KSBA is organising a `motorcade' reception for the World champion from the Bangalore airport after his scheduled arrival at 7 p.m.

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