Geet Sethi. Telegraph picture

After interacting with the young players, what do you predict for the future of billiards and snooker in Orissa?

Last time I was here, it was for the World Championship of Professional Billiards that featured players of the stature of Peter Gilchrist and Mike Russell. Of course things have changed over the years. It was only the business class that showed much inclination towards the game here, just like in other parts of the country. But now I’m delighted to see teenagers and youngsters in their 20s obsessed with the game. They are talented and have a great future.

How important do you think is a series like Eastern Zone invitational snooker tournament for the growth of cue sports in Orissa?

I was witnessing the final of this tournament and I should say that young players gain a lot by watching a match like the one between talented players Sourav Kothari and Shabaz Khan. There should be more such national level tournaments to provide exposure to the players here so that their passion for the game increases. If players like Pankaj Advani, Aditya Mehta or Devendra Joshi come down here and inspire the youngsters, it should help in raising the standards of cueists here.

What steps do you think could help popularise snookers and billiards in Orissa?

Like I said, more zonal, national and world championships are definitely needed to boost up players and in transcending them from amateurs to professionals. I have heard that there are a number of billiards and snooker parlours here. That also helps in creating an interest in the youth.

What would you say about the popularity of cue sports at the national level? Do you think India has the potential to be the world leader in this sphere?

With players like Pankaj Advani, who has won numerous world titles at a very young age, we sure are doing well. But we still have to get the talents from smaller cities. To be honest, if any sport is passionately followed in India, it is cricket. The popularity of any other sport in our country rests on international performances. This is the benchmark for cue sports too. Success and consistency alone can bring more players in.

Cueists across the world have been awaiting the inclusion of snookers and billiards into the Olympics. Do you see it happening in the coming years?

Well, there is a strong international lobby going on for that but it is still a far off dream. It would have been wonderful for the sport but we have to be happy with the Asian games right now.

You, along with other eminent sports personalities such as Prakash Padukone, set up the Olympic gold Quest Foundation. Tell us more about it.

We started this foundation to assist athletes who are immensely talented and can definitely win us medals at Olympics. Though the government supports them, there are many aspects like fitness, logistics or training facilities where these sportspersons need support. So, we provide them that support by setting up a mechanism that funds for physiotherapists, trainers and so on. For example, we had sent shooter Gagan Narang to Germany for the treatment of an injury. We also provide the expertise needed in sports to these players. Thankfully, we have a very strong funding system with individuals and corporates helping us. Former hockey captain Viren Rasquinha is our CEO.

What is your advice to young cueists to improvise their game?

All I can say is that a cue sport is something many pursue as a hobby. But if you are serious and wish to be a successful professional, you have to spend hours at the table, participate in more tournaments and learn from seniors. Most importantly, you need to be patient and persevere. To polish your game you need to stick to it since it takes at least 10 years to get expertise with the cue.