wonder boy of billiards

:: a tribute by Ishmit Singh Malik ::

While Cricket team of India was struggling to get past Pakistan in the 20:20 World cup of cricket in South Africa, before them two Indian cueists in Singapore were fighting out among themselves to wrest the 23rd World title in cue sports. Defending champion, Pankaj Advani the defending champion and challenger, Dhruv Sitwala were only underlining the dominance of India in the World of billiards.
 

As the cricket match ended in a tie and subsequently Pakistan were bowled out in the sudden death the country erupted into a frenzy whereas the 22 year wonder boy of the "green baize" just had a serene and dignified welcome from selected fans all over the country who warmly applauded the fantastic performance of this unassuming lad from Bangalore.

Without going into the merits or demerits of this very strange dichotomy between the two wonderful games it is indeed surprising why still the media is slow in reacting to our astounding success in the refined sport of billiards which is actually the true culture of "Indian-ness". The simplicity, ethos, divinity and monumental patience which is so pronounced in the Indian character is so well defined in a top class billiards player that it would be hard to distinguish one from the other.

If india has produced the maximum number of sages and philosophers so has it produced great champions in the cue sports. The pre-requisites in both have to have a degree of wisdom, renunciation in worldly pleasures and the necessary high level of concentration to be an achiever. A champion of cue sport could easily pass the rigours of a monk, a sadhu or a learned man.

To come back to Pankaj Advani, who lifted his fourth world title in as many years, it was his feat of retaining his "time format" IBSF world billiards title which has put the icing on the cake. That he did so in style not only in the final of the championship but also displayed voluminous consistency in all his matches played at the Orchid country in Singapore during the entire championship which must be commended and appreciated in the highest terms.
 

A promise which was evident in the precocious child player in the year 2000 in the Chennai nationals at a raw age of hardly 14 has only grown steadily to become a feared attribute by all his rivals. What makes this wonderful youngster stand out among all champions of sport in the country is his modesty. Pankaj is so very down to earth that one would just fail to recognize him even in a motley crowd in a party. His approach on the table is so very simple that one is tempted to dismiss him outright but what a explosive burst of talent and exquisite grace is this "gentleman" that at the end of the match the one natural expression that one would want to make is just to feel and touch him as a sinner would a holy man to be chastised.

Looking at his exploits we can safely rest assured that not only the future of Indian billiards is secure but also we could hope him to become an icon to inspire all budding sportsmen as well as aspiring youth of this great Indian society which is on the threshold of becoming a modern super power.

Let us all hail the victory of Pankaj and pay our tribute to this fine sportsmen who has become a beacon of achievement and true continuity at the highest level of mother of all games on the billiards table.
 

Bangaluru / Lucknow :: 17th September 2007