Chris Lynn‘s stunning catch in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match not only created buzz among cricket fans but eight-time world champion cueist Pankaj Advani was also mesmerised seeing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player’s boundary line acrobat that handed a nail-biting two-run win against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
“I just wish an India player takes that sort of a catch someday… Ultimately it boils down to agility and fitness,” Advani said.
Confessing that he does not watch IPL, Advani said: “I had to see the catch, it’s the catch of the tournament, a fantastic effort. That is where the fitness comes into account.”
Advani was talking to reporters after being conferred the ‘Best Sportsman of the Country’ by Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club in their 2013-14 awards here today.
Gold medallist at the Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010, Advani expressed disappointment at the omission of billiards from Incheon Games later this year.
“It’s a big setback to our medal hope. We did well last time and it’s quite disappointing to find that we will not be able to compete this time,” he said.
The Olympic Council of Asia has removed billiards among various other sport disciplines from the continent’s biggest sports show in Incheon, South Korea.
Eight world titles, five Asian titles, two Asian Games gold medals, 24 national titles and the 28-year-old said it’s about keeping on improving.
“There’s no particular goal but to keep improve my standard, irrespective of the result. In any case, to me, sport is art, and should not be quantified,” Advani, who is now focussing more on snooker, added.
The Indian champion blew a 7-4 lead to lose 7-10 against Robbie Williams in the final qualifying round of the World Professional Snooker Championship in Sheffield earlier this month.
“I was taken aback by his unorthodox shots… I am now looking forward to three national tournaments and world team championship.”
Former Indian football captain IM Vijayan was felicitated for his ‘Outstanding Contribution to Football’ and the former striker, who turned 45 today, thanked Kolkata for remembering him till today.
“This goes to show that Kolkata supporters have not forgotten me,” he said. Olympians and football greats PK Banerjee and Chuni Goswami were given Lifetime Achievement Awards as the CSJC also awarded a host of state sportspersons in various fields.
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