SEVEN-TIMES billiards world champion Geet Sethi vehemently scotches the notion that billiards is an elitist game. “You cannot compare football or hockey with the billiards and snooker. They have different equipments to play. It is the infrastructure that makes a game different from others. I joined the billiards when my father had earnings of just Rs 1,800,” he told Hindustan Times.
“Players from middle class have joined the game and performing well ”, added Geet. He arrived in the City today to participate in the National Billiards and Snooker Tournament cum camp. The tournament is to select the players for Doha Asian Games to be organised in December.
The world champion has penned down a book ‘Success versus joy’ with the entrepreneur Sunil Agrawal in which he has shared his lifetime experiences. The book is an inspirational one on mind control.
“It is always tough to remain focused on your game when you have achieved big success in life”, said Sethi. Citing the example of Sachin Tendulkar, he said his lifestyle suggests he remained focused on the game even after achieving such great success.
Sethi asserts he never found any difference between the times when he won the first world title and today. “The environment is almost same in billiards and snooker, as India has been winning the world title at regular intervals. The difference is just that the game is now getting more exposure as compared to the past”, he observed.
{{/usCountry}}Sethi asserts he never found any difference between the times when he won the first world title and today. “The environment is almost same in billiards and snooker, as India has been winning the world title at regular intervals. The difference is just that the game is now getting more exposure as compared to the past”, he observed.
{{/usCountry}}The ace cueist is satisfied over the present condition of the game. “That a city like Bhopal has come forward to organise national meet is a good sign. Future of the game is bright”, said Geet. Appreciating players like Kamal Chawla of Bhopal, he expected that more such players would be seen in near future.
Great future, says legend
THE LEGEND of billiards and national chief coach Michael Ferreira who arrived in the City today said that the players are doing well at the international level and future is bright. Players like Pankaj Advani, Alok Kumar and others have done a great job at the international level.
When asked about a memorable day of his life, he said winning the title in 1983 is the best memorable moment of life. “It was a miracle as I won it when I had almost lost the game”, said Ferreira.