Feel responsible to create future champions: Pankaj Advani

Ace cueist Pankaj Advani feels he owes it to the sport to train future champions.

"I would love to create a platform for youngsters to hone their skills and reach the next level and create future champions of the sport. I feel it is my responsibility to do so. For years, we have been creating champions in a very ad-hoc manner. People come if they have a talent, they enter the association, get funding from the government and they make it," he said.

The 33-year-old asserted that the sport should be taken to the grassroot level in order to see some positive changes.

Reflecting on his future tournaments, Advani said that he would be appearing in few events post-September while stressing he is looking forward to train hard for the same.

"It's been a slight break for the last few months but from September onwards, my main events will start. There is Asian Championship, World championship is in November, and a few international tournaments in October. There is a lot coming up post-September, I am looking forward to it and training hard," he said. (ANI)

In April, Pankaj Advani was conferred with the coveted Padma Bhushan award, the country's third highest civilian award.

The cueist, who recently claimed the IBSF World Snooker Championship- his 18th world title, has bagged a total of 19 titles, including winning gold twice at the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010.