Former world billiards champion Geet Sethi says Pankaj Advani, who is the reigning world champion, has the potential in him to win 10 world billiards titles, if he opts to stick to the three ball game instead of snooker.
Sethi, who has won seven world billiards crowns, says Advani is capable of breaking both his records -- the highest break of 1,276 and the number of his world titles.
"Advani is 20 years of age, but has already won both the time and point format world titles. The only observation or rider is that somewhere down the line, he needs to take a decision on whether to stick to billiards or snooker," he said.
"If Advani chooses billiards, 10 world titles are within reach. Look at sportsmen like Lance Armstrong [cycling], Michael Schumacher [Formula One] and Stephen Henry [snooker] -- all of them have won seven world titles."
Sethi said Advani has the talent and potential to make it big at the world-level.
"I do not say it lightly. Whether the potential finds fulfillment is something that Advani needs to work on."
"I won seven world titles over a 25 year period. I won my first title at the age of 24. Here you have a kid who won his first world title at age 18. Both billiards and snooker have been producing one world class player every two decades," Sethi said.
Sethi rated the youngster as the best in both versions of the game in the world at present.
"It is amazing that at such a young age he has been in the world stage for seven years now. I must say he is the best in the world today in billiards and snooker."
But, he also, believes that there is still room for improvement for Advani.
"There is scope for improvement in his abilities. This process will continue till he is 23. After that, we can witness a more refined and lethal fighting machine in Advani".
Sethi said his own dominance in domestic snooker from 1984 to 1988 did not hold much significance as he was deficient at world level.
"One will know the benchmarks only when he plays at the highest level. But the competency lies in billiards, though there is little money in it."
Sethi felt Advani should decide to play in the world snooker circuit in England, saying the exposure there could improve his level of game immensely.
"That entire system is not going to come to India. It is important to get exposed to that. There can only be two results -- win or lose. But if Advani goes and plays there, it is certain that his level of game will improve at least 50 per cent. I say that he should go there".
Drawing comparisons between national champion Alok Kumar and Advani, Sethi said: "the former is a good player, but the latter is a pedigree cueist".
"It just goes to show the difference in being a pedigree player or a good one. A good player will win an international event, but a pedigree champion will repeat performances," Sethi said.
"Alok [Kumar] is a very competent and efficient player with great killer instinct. I rate him as a good player but I consider Advani a pedigree champion. Advani will win more titles."
Comparing the present Indian and Asian players, Sethi felt players from Thailand and Myanmar have been making a mark and that it would lead to tougher competitions in future.
"Thailand is a case in point. They are taking to billiards more than other cue sports in a strong way because it's in the Asian Games. They identify players and tell them to play only billiards. So the hunger and desire to achieve excellence at high levels will be there in all countries in Asia, where the competition is getting harder and harder".
Sethi said youngsters in India should to go abroad and play a lot of matches.
"Both Thai and Burmese players go out of their countries for coaching and reputed players are invited by them from outside to hone their skills. The standard is going to keep raising. It is great for the game".
On the turning point in his life, Sethi said there were a few instances.
"When I first won the World Billiards title in 1985, it gave me confidence, which only a title can give. It is something which cannot be quantified. I cannot describe it."
Sethi said winning the 1993 world title, beating Mike Russell was dear to his heart.
"I was trailing by 900 points after two hours. People started walking out, thinking the match was over. I came back, made a 744 break and ended up beating Russell by over 900 points for the title. It was not only a culmination of the competitive spirit in me, I experienced concentration at its peak in that match," Sethi.
Sethi said having the skills and becoming proficient in making breaks is one aspect of the game, the other is to keep producing those skills in high pressure situations and stages like Olympic or Asian Games.
"Replicating those skills come with exposure and happens when pressure is high. One should play with the best and under intense pressure all the time. That is the way one's game improves."
On retiring from competitive field, Sethi said he took pride in representing India in Asian Games.
"I know for sure I am going to play till the end of 2006. I also know that my enthusiasm levels are not determined by events. The Asian Games is one platform where some passion is regenerated in me."
On whether his presence would deny youngsters' chances, Sethi said: "this kind of argument will not hold water. There is no question of denying chances of youngsters".
"There is a selection system for Asian Games designed by the Players Association. You may be nine-year-old or 75-year-old. One needs to perform and qualify in selection tournaments. In terms of focus and physical fitness, I have kept a strict regime. I am as fit today as I was 20 years ago. Here also, I do not see any problem," he said.
Photograph: Jewella Miranda
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