‘Athletes’ interest should be paramount’
Advani met sports minister Vijay Goel to discuss certain issues pertaining to the Sports Authority of India
Ace cueist Pankaj Advani believes India has still not reached a stage where athletes are the centre of focus in formulating country’s sports policy. He on Wednesday met Union sports minister Vijay Goel to discuss certain issues pertaining to the Sports Authority of India.
“All I can tell you is that sportsperson has to be the centre of focus in sports policy and in India we have not reached that stage,” Advani was quoted as saying.
“Lot of times, athletes have to go after authorities and chase them whereas they should be left alone to concentrate on their game. There should be others to facilitate whether it’s the federation or the SAI or the coaches. We are yet to reach that stage,” the 16-time world champion said.
Advani refused to divulge specifics of his discussion with Goel about SAI.
“There are a few things, which I would not like to discuss right now as they are sensitive. The sports minister has promised to help.
“I will still have to co-ordinate with his office and give them all details so that things can be streamlined going ahead.”
Advani also sought Goel’s help in co-ordinating with the Indian Olympic Association for inclusion of cue sports in the Olympics.
Cue sport is currently a part of the Asian Games.
“Here’s a sport in which we are doing so well and we have medal prospects. We need to put an effort to include in the quadrennial Games. The sports minister said that he will speak to the IOA, write to them and follow up.”
The 31-year-old said he was motivated as ever to compete and win at the highest level.
“There are enough reasons to feel motivated beyond statistics. I go back to the reason why I started playing the sport. It is because I loved playing it and I loved competing. It gives me a reason to look forward to something everyday. “It’s not about results, stats — just probably a simple fact that I want to go out there and express myself. Because it transports me to another world free of my worries,” he said.
He said sporting greatness should be purely based on achievements.
“There are sports which enjoy popularity and we are not against them. Certain events that get massive coverage like the Asian Games and the Olympics and I am not against them.
“But the fact is that every sportsperson works hard every day, every week of the year to be the best. If someone is achieving that position, obviously you guys know how to rate the achievement.”