Bangalore children fail to take cue from champions

Bangalore is known to be a hub for cue sports. Going by the city’s tradition of producing champion cueists — Pankaj Advani, the multiple-world champion in billiards and snooker, being the torch-bearer for the sport, children should have queued up at the Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA) to pursue the sport.

But sadly, that’s not been the case this summer.

A one-month coaching camp organised by the KSBA from April 11 has seen very few takers. Only 15 enthusiasts showed up at the camp. A disappointing turnout considering the world-class facilities made available at reasonable cost, admits Kishore Khurana, co-chairman for billiards at the KSBA. “The poor turnout is quite surprising. What can we say when there is a poor turnout despite the best of facilities being offered?” he said.

The last two years, though, had seen considerable number of children taking up snooker and pool. During 2009 when Advani won the professional world title in Leeds, there was a surge in the number of youngsters taking to the sport. But unlike popular sports like cricket or tennis, these numbers have not multiplied.

Besides KSBA, Bowring Institute has also announced the dates for a cue sports summer camp but none have applied so far, the official pointed out.

However, what’s encouraging is the number of girls taking to the sport. “Girls are joining the camps in huge numbers compared to the previous year. Even middle-aged women are opting for the sport, which is a good sign,” said Khurana. Though billiards, snooker, and pool are conventionally known to be a man’s sport, Bangalore women were never behind in the race to corner glory on the baize. The crowning of Usha Rao as India’s first national woman billiards champion way back in 1989 was a testimony to Bangalore’s acceptance of the sport, which carried the tag of being played at dingy bars in private clubs.

Two decades down the line, women from the city have held their own in the gentleman’s sport.

Setting an example is Mount Carmel College, which has introduced cue sports in its curriculum.

Over 40 students are learning the tricks of the trade on the green baize at Mount Carmel College this summer.

“The response has been overwhelming. We are expecting a large number of entries from the college at this year’s state ranking tournament to be held later this month,” Khurana said.