Kolkata: In the backdrop of the developments surrounding cricket in India, sixteen-time world champion in cuesports Pankaj Advani feels that any sports code would only yield results if athletes and measures to support them are given primacy.
“The world’s sports policy needs to be centred on the athletes and their requirements. Only then will it be successful,” he said on the sidelines of the 3rd Kolkata Open National Invitation Snooker Championship 2017 organised by the West Bengal Billiards Association which kicked off today at the Bengal Rowing Club.
Talking about the country’s performance in the Olympics, Advani said: “In our country we give much greater importance to results in quadrennial events like the Olympics than to consistent performance at world events. Consistency is the hallmark of a champion in any sport.
“Ask Roger Federer how he compares his performances at the Olympics versus Wimbledon. He rates Wimbledon higher. And he has won seven times there”, he said.
Speaking about his 16th World Championship title, he said that he was looking forward to the 2017 season. “I enjoy my game and would like to keep playing as long as possible.”