Chasing No. 22, Pankaj Advani wants to keep raising the bar

The late Miles Dewey Davis III, an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer, once said: "A legend is an old man with a cane known for what he used to do. I'm still doing it."
This quote from Davis III can aptly sum up the career of India's 32-year-old young billiards and snooker legend with 21 World Championship title — Pankaj Advani.

Advani has seen it all in the world of cue sports and if he desires, he can sit back, relax and count his laurels.
But, he is not done yet.

No, he is not desperately chasing his 22nd world title in his next mission 150 Up World Billiards Championship, World 6 Reds and Team Snooker Championship in Myanmar next month. If it comes, well and good, but that is not the only target for Advani.
It's the love for the sport, competing with the best, travelling, making friends and one that tops it all is representing India at the highest level.

"Love for the sport and joy of playing the sport. It is something to look forward to and competing. Travelling and I love representing my country which is a huge honour. Not necessarily looking at my 22nd title. I am working hard to improve the quality of my game, raise the bar, enjoy the whole process," Advani said when asked what keeps him going. "Can't imagine myself doing something else."
Advani has been a regular visitor to Myanmar. which is the cue sport hub these days and he enjoys playing there.

"May be third or fourth time (visiting Mynmar)," he said. "This time it's a different city — Mandalay — and not Yangon (Myanmar's largest city), which is more holidayish."
Advani is amazed with the turnout in cue sport tourneys. "The supporters turn out in huge numbers and are very supportive. It gets a bit, but not to the extent of disturbing players. They appreciate a good game and have more interest in billiards," he said.

Coming back to him successfully managing two different sports — billiards and snooker – Advani sad: "It's an honour to represent India, play in so many events across the globe, it's like challengeing yourself. And nobody is doing anything to excel in both billiards and snooker and play at that level.
"I like to take that challenge, travel the road and go uncharted territories. The technique, approach, scoring pattern in different in both formats. Yes, sometimes it takes a toll on me but I have found a way to juggle between different formats."

Cue sport is not big in India, but Advani felt a televised league on the lines of 'Cue Slam', a francise based league in 2017, can help the sport grow.
"There has to be enough opportunity for players to make a living out of it and to have sort of tournaments at big venues where people are invited to attend and witness sport at the highest level.

"But the need of the hour is to have a (franchise-based) league, which is televised and that is where I feel you (the media) should be asking this question to (BSFI secretary Devendra) Joshi," Advani said.
The Bengaluru-based star wants the Sports Ministry to intervene and promote the sport.

"The point is now the way sport is perceived has also changed over the years. I feel that because we are not part of any quadrennial event like the Asian Games or Olympics, it is also being perceived differently," Advani said.
"We are working as hard as every other athlete in the country (but) because we are not in quadrennial events, we are not looked at that very seriously compared to those sports that are part of Olympics or quadrennial events," he said, before adding that increased funding, program for juniors and incentives or sponsored trips can help.

Advani is promoting the sport on his own with Cue Schools taking the sport to grassroot levels.