ONGC-IBSF World Billiards Championship 2008 :: Bangalore - India

01 - 10 September 2008

Even as a resurgent India takes its rightful place in the comity of nations and moves confidently towards becoming a super power in the world, there is no gainsaying that in the field of billiards, with the exception of the legendary, Mike Russell there is nobody to challenge the total domination in the sport by our wonderful team of cueists.

The class of the billiards king, Geet Sethi is there for everyone to see unquestionably. The emergence of Pankaj Advani as the crown prince has been proved by the recent exploits of "the wonder boy of billiards" in the just concluded ONGC sponsored 2008 IBSF World billiards championship in both the points as well as the time format.

Importantly the way in which this event has been organized by the KSBA under the auspices of the Billiards & Snooker Federation Of India is a great feather in the already distinguished cap of the great team of selfless workers,  we have both in the BSFI as also in the KSBA. The team of referees of our country have done an excellent job in the way the matches were officiated without a blemish. It is a great privilege that there was not even a single controversy in the entire ten days of tough competition which alone speaks volumes for the devotion of the dedicated lot of officials involved with the grand success of the fabulous event.

The standard of the game witnessed but for a single , not so high on the penultimate day , means that not only our cueists have reigned supreme but they have at the same time performed in an inspirational manner. Who can forget the mammoth breaks of 885 and 750 by the celebrated Geet Sethi. Add to that his superlative display of great character and skill in rallying back from the brink when down to Devendra Joshi by 0-3 in the points format semifinal. His record breaking five games on the trot with a century in each of these games set the arena alight to the delight of the audience at the Mc Dowell billiards hall of the KSBA complex.

Who will forget the heroic fight back of Joshi when down by over a 1100 points in the time format final against a player of the stature of Pankaj Advani, almost pulling out an improbable win but for that vital 100 break by the champion. The effort of Peter Gilchrist of  400 or the break of 451 by Joshi earlier on. Not to forget the fierce challenge posed to the champion by Souav Kothari, "the young tiger of Bengal", Pankaj Advani just managing to scrape through in that exciting encounter.

Of course ! the great champion that he is, Pankaj Advani centering the spotlight on himself not only through the explosive exhibition of billiards but all the more praiseworthy and satisfying manner of his victory. The highest form of sportsmanship in their conduct may it be Geet Sethi, Pankaj Advani or even Devendra Joshi augurs well for the sport in the country. And who said that billiards is a dying sport , it is very much alive and kicking.. So much so that the exemplary behaviour of our top cueists will prove a great form of inspiration not only to people of other sports in particular but the dynamic young generation of achievers and the aspirers too.

However, there is one sore point which also must be looked into by the IBSF and here the leading role should be played by our own governing body, the BSFI in ensuring that there is substantial prize money in events of such magnitude for unless we do that how will we see the participation of the top professional players of billiards for if they have nothing to gain financially why will they venture forth to take part in future events too.. Also the IBSF must be forced to reverse their policy of treating the referees so poorly. They also must be compensated adequately and paid properly to ensure that they do their officiating job not only for their love of the game but also to gain economically because they have served the game enough and spent most part of their life in doing so. The officials and the players should be rewarded for their undying efforts to keep this sport going. Will the BSFI take heed and by our position of pre - eminence in billiards project the case of our cueists and our referees in a forceful manner to correct this anomaly.

Lastly but not the least the central and the state governments must be commended for the great support which they have lent to our sport. We should be indebted to them as also the office bearers of our Federation who have ensured that our players get due recognition and awards so well deserved by them. Hail ! Indian billiards. Hail! our team of referees! Hail our magnificent print media as well as the electronic media along with the dedicated team of sponsors and organizers who make it possible to have such events. Hail ! the lovers of the game and the band of workers who do their thankless job behind the curtain tirelessly. May their tribe increase.  May our legendary heroes of cue sports continue to thrive. Amen.