Born in July 1960 in Jabalpur, Neeta Kothari, a mother of twins (a son and daughter), began her journey in billiards and snooker in 2001 at the prestigious Calcutta Club. She made her mark by representing West Bengal at her first National Championship in 2002 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Over the years, Neeta has achieved remarkable success, earning 14 gold, 19 silver, and 2 bronze medals in the Ladies' State Championship. Most notably, she clinched a gold medal at the West Bengal Ladies State Snooker Championship at the age of 63, proving that age is no barrier to success.
Neeta stands out as the only female player from West Bengal to have won a bronze medal at the Ladies' World Billiards Championship in Leeds, England, an achievement that garnered recognition from the West Bengal Billiards Association.
With participation in over 32 national championships spanning three decades, Neeta exemplifies strength and determination, showcasing the resilience of women in sports. In 2017, her contributions to women's empowerment in sports were acknowledged with the prestigious All India "Aparajita Award" from the Sanmarg Group.
In 2019, the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry honored her with the "Ratna Garbha" award for her role as a supportive mother to her son, Sourav Kothari, who became the World Billiards Champion in 2018, following in the footsteps of his father, Manoj Kothari.
Neeta has gained international experience through participation in world-ranking snooker events in Australia, England, Egypt, Thailand, and Singapore, including her medal-winning performance in England. Her vast experience and approachable nature led to her appointment as Team Manager and Observer for the Indian ladies' snooker team at the U-21 Ladies World Snooker Championship 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Despite coming from a conservative background and managing the challenges of raising twins, Neeta’s determination and courage paved her path in the world of cuesports. Interestingly, her daughter Shreya, who briefly played snooker before pursuing a career in Fashion Management, also won a gold medal in the West Bengal State Ladies Snooker Championship, making the Kothari family a unique legacy of green baize champions.
West Bengal State Ladies Billiards and Snooker Championship:
World Ladies Billiards Championship:
Participated in numerous National Championships of 8 Ball and 9 Ball pool, qualifying for national selection camps for international events.