Televised League Could Do Wonders: Pankaj Advani on Popularising Cue Sports in India
World champion Pankaj Advani suggests a televised league and simplified formats to make cue sports mainstream in India.
Indian billiards and snooker legend Pankaj Advani, fresh off his historic 29th world championship victory, has called for a strategic overhaul to make cue sports mainstream in India. The sporting icon believes that while India possesses immense talent, the lack of visibility and complexity of the game's formats have kept it in the shadows of more dominant sports.
A Historic Triumph in Birmingham
Advani's call for reform comes at a peak in his career. In October, he secured his 29th career world title at the WBL World Billiards Championship held in Birmingham. In a commanding performance, he defeated England's Robert Hall with a score of 1906-1206. The victory was highlighted by a breathtaking 587 break, cementing his status as a global powerhouse in the sport.
Breaking the Cricket Monopoly
Discussing the sports landscape in India, Advani noted that very few disciplines have managed to become truly mainstream. While cricket enjoys unparalleled popularity, other sports struggle for the same level of public consciousness.
He pointed out that even in fields where India has produced "super achievers," such as javelin throw or shooting, the sports themselves haven't necessarily become mainstream. He believes cue sports face a similar challenge in capturing the public's imagination.
The Power of a Televised League
To bridge this gap, Advani suggests that a televised league could be a game-changer. He believes that bringing the sport to television screens would not only increase its popularity but also make it more accessible to a wider audience.
However, he acknowledges a significant hurdle: the complexity of the game. With various formats in both billiards and snooker—ranging from short to long formats—spectators often find the sport confusing.
"People ask me, how did you win 29 world titles at the age of 41. I told them that there are various formats... Sometimes, people get confused. I feel that we need to simplify these formats and get one quick format out into the open, which will be exciting and easy to consume for spectators," Advani explained.
Investing in the Future: Academies and Precision
Beyond broadcasting, the champion emphasized the need for structural growth. He urged state associations and governments to invest more heavily in building academies to nurture young talent.
Advani believes that Indians have a natural aptitude for "precision sports," citing the country's success in chess, archery, and shooting. He noted that while India has a few academies, many more are needed to open doors for the youth.
Adding a final note of optimism, he mentioned that India's performance at the Asian Games proves that the country is now competing at the highest level even in physical disciplines like athletics, suggesting that with the right support, cue sports could see a similar surge in excellence and popularity.