The Hindu : Sport / Billiards & Snooker : Advani gets his due

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 11, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Billiards & Snooker

Advani gets his due

Special Correspondent

— Photo: G.P. Sampath Kumar

Pankaj Advani receives the award from Home Minister V.S. Acharya (right) and Sports Minister Gulihatti D. Shekar in Bangalore on Tuesday.

BANGALORE: It was the case of better late than never for the World cue sports champion Pankaj Advani, who was finally honoured by the State Government on Tuesday for his feats on the green baize.

V.S. Acharya, the State Home Minister presented Advani, a cheque of Rs.10 lakh on behalf of the chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who was unable to attend the function due to other pressing official engagements.

Mr. Acharya said “I admit that Advani deserved this honour much earlier, but nevertheless, we are happy to honour him for his wonderful deeds and we are proud that he belongs to the State and we wish him more such successes.”

Mr. Acharya, also said that the State Government would also expedite the process of allotting a site to Advani.

Advani also collected his Ekalavya Award for the year 2007. He did not attend the function then, as he had felt that the recognition was too late and too little in light of his achievements.

Thanks Government

But all that bitterness was cast aside and an elated Advani thanked the Government for its gesture. “I am happy with the Government’s gesture and I am sure it would go a long way in promoting young talents in the State and inspire many more to take up cue sports. The hard work certainly pays,” said the ace cueist, who recently won a bronze at the Asian Indoor Games.

Sports Minister Gulihatti D. Shekar, Advani’s mentor and veteran cueist Arvind Savur and KSBA officials too were present.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport