The Pride of Indian Snooker
 

With remarkable performances by Indian duos Padmashree Pankaj Advani and recently announced for Arjuna Award Aditya Mehta, both have successfully qualified to play at the main venue of International Championship to be held in Chengdu, China from October 28 to November 4 this year.

The first match in the final round of the qualification stage was between Pankaj Advani and Michael Holt where Pankaj successfully outplayed Holt 6-4. Pankaj was leading 3-0, when Holt exhibited some good potting and came closer, but Pankaj at the right time shut the doors for Holt and advanced to main stage.

After this win, all attention diverted to Aditya's match in the second session. Aditya who clinched the victory from the jaws of defeat against whirlwind Jimmy White in round 3 by winning decider frame, was ready to meet Jamie Cope. Jamie gave tough fight to Aditya and both were at par till eighth frame. That is when Aditya accelerated and won two consecutive frames confirming his joining compatriot Advani in the main venue of International Championship at China.

President, BSFI appreciated the performance of both the players and congratulated them. Vice President, BSFI, Rajan Khinvasara also appreciated and hoped that both the players will continue to do well in the main venue also.

It is worth mentioning that prior to them, the only other Indian that managed to play main venues was Yasin Merchant who appeared 6 times in main venues during the nineties.

Fact figures:

Pankaj Advani is Padmashree and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. He has won 7 World Titles (5 IBSF Billiards, 1 WPBSA Billards and 1 IBSF Snooker)
Aditya Mehta's name is recently announced for Arjuna Award. He is the reigning Indian National Snooker and Asian Snooker Champion.

New Delhi :: 22 August 2012