World Billiards Championship will be an exposure trip: Dhvaj Haria
 

Playing against the likes of world champions and top ranked billiards players can be challenging but promising young cueist Dhvaj Haria believes he won't let pressure affect him at the upcoming World Billiards Championship. The mega-event to be held at the Northern Snooker Centre, Leeds from October 18-28 will be Dhvaj's maiden international tournament. The Ahmedabad-based cueist was assured of a slot reserved for a junior after he won the junior nationals title along with sub-junior snooker and billiards crown.

"This will be the first time I am representing India. I don't think I will be under pressure as I see this an opportunity to learn and do well. It will be an exposure trip for me," the 19-year-old said.

The talented youngster practices at the Sports Club and learns the nuances of the game from his coach Subhash Agrawal and former national champion and Executive Director of Cue Sports India, Sonic Multani.

Multani, who has been advising Dhvaj on cue ball control and other technical details, expressed satisfaction with ward's progress. "It has been a steady progress for him. I have been advising him on cue ball control and on ways to get out of a tough situation. To expect him to win an international title will take time but I have noticed a steady growth in him."

He added the World Billiards Championship; a unified effort from the IBSF and World Billiards League will be a good training ground from him. "He will be playing against top players and that will give a lot of motivation and more importantly, ideas and strategies."

Multani, who won the national billiards title in 1995 and 1996 and the snooker crown in 1997, advised Dhvaj to be observant. "He should focus on every match and play frame by frame. He has to concentrate on picking small things from the greats and their style of play."

On his part, Dhvaj added that he is practicing harder with every passing day. "I have increased my training time. I practice daily for six hours and have installed a new table at home too for the same. I hope to do well at the tournament and observe greats like Mike Russell, Pankaj Advani go about their business."

Ahmedabad :: 26 August 2012