Pankaj Advani has called it quits, at least for now, from the pro circuit snooker.
“It’s been hard and grinding… but more importantly its keeping me away from billiards and family,” said Advani at a media conference here on Friday.
“I love to excel in both forms — billiards and snooker. And being away on the pro-circuit for about six to seven months does not allow me to play billiards, which I miss dearly.
“Also the fact that I am away from my family for that long is getting to me, of late,” Advani said.
When asked if settling down in life is also on the cards, he said: “Yes, I am nearing 30 and marriage and family is not far from my thoughts.”
With his confidence still sky high, Advani added: “I want to represent India in both and when the pro-circuit keeps me away from billiards I feel handicapped.
“For the next three to four years I intend to play both forms with the same passion and maybe will take a call then.”
And then he confessed with a laugh: “As for the Indian Open in Mumbai in October, I need to qualify from the Pune event and hope to make the grade.”
Regarding the Arjuna Award, Advani hoped for more flexibility from the panel.
“If there were more achievers in the season (international year) there could be an increase in the number of award winners — if the government deems fit,” he said.
Meanwhile, Billiards and Snooker Federation of India secretary-general S. Balasubramaniam said: “The BSFI is proposing his (Pankaj Advani’s) name for the Padma Bhushan.”
