JOIN USAfter having said a firm ‘no’ to it for nearly a decade, seven-time world champion Pankaj Advani has finally decided to ply his trade on the professional snooker circuit.
A year after he rejected a wild card for an entire season and stressed that pro snooker does not excite him, Advani, in a change of mind, has chosen to accept the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India’s ticket this time.
“In the recent past I’ve not been keen on playing the professional league and, in fact, turned down the offer last time,” said the26-year-old on Thursday. “I had earlier wanted to play in the pro league when I was 18 but, unfortunately, did not get an entry that time.
“After much deliberation, I feel this is the right time to play in the United Kingdom. I have a gut feeling I could do well.”
When asked if the emergence of fresh talents like Aditya Mehta -- who currently plays in the pro circuit -- drove him into making this decision, Advani said it was completely personal. “I do not believe in comparisons. I am delighted for Aditya and his win in the just-concluded Asian Snooker Championship is great. My focus in England while playing on the pro tour will be on becoming a better and stronger player. This decision is for myself and I am doing this for myself.”
Advani, who has often said that playing on the pro tour is an expensive affair and is not very rewarding, said he will continue to play billiards – his major area of expertise. “I will continue to play in the professional billiards circuit and shall participate in all billiards events. It is something I’ve never done before and am I am looking forward to the exciting challenge and the madness that lies ahead of me.”
Advani would be leaving for the United Kingdom by the end of May and will open his campaign at the Wuxi Classic Qualifiers at Sheffield from June 5 to 8. He is also scheduled to play in the June 12-15 Australian Goldfields Open at the same city.
BSFI initially awarded the wild card to reigning national champion Mehta. With the Maharashtrian sealing his berth to the elite group by virtue of his triumph at the Asian Snooker bash, BSFI was allowed to choose another cueist and it offered the chance to Advani.