IBSF World billiards champion Pankaj Advani’s decision not to accept the Ekalavya award has found support from several sportspersons in the State. The awards were presented here on Saturday.

Those who spoke in favour of Advani were former Indian hockey goalkeeper Ashish Ballal, swimmers Nisha Millet and Shikha Tandon and the memers and staff of the Karnataka State Billiards Association.

“Had I been given the award years ago, it would have been different,” Advani said. “The government should come up with a policy wherein fixed sums should be allocated for achievments at the State, National and international level.”

Ballal said: “Pankaj is the best in Karnataka and has achieved so much at the world level. Him being given the Ekalavya award now is not the proper way to recognise him. Actually, he should be given the Karnataka Ratna award and a cash prize.”

Millet felt a World champion should not have to apply for awards. “This is step-motherly treatment towards Pankaj. Sania Mirza did not have to apply for the cash award,” she said.

Trying his best along with the other KSBA members to get the State government to recognise Advani is vice-president S Balasubramaniam. “When Rafath Habib won the Asian Games gold medal, the Tamil Nadu government presented him Rs 25 lakh,” he said and wondered why the Karnataka government was doing hardly anything to recognise Advani.