Kurshan, 17, chalks up his skills for China
IMMENSE hand-eye co-ordination, focus and steely temperament are required to compete at snooker’s highest levels.
It’s still early days for Durban teenager Kurshan Moodley, but if his performance over the past three years is anything to go by, he has every chance of reaching the top.
The Effingham Secondary
School pupil has been named for the South African team in the Under18 and Under-21 World Snooker Championships in China next month.
Kurshan, 17, took up the sport in 2015 after being inspired by his father, Cuban Moodley, a former national player.
“It’s been my dream to represent my country ever since I started playing,” the youngster said proudly.
“I hope to use this experience to prepare me for the future. I am determined to participate in the open division next year.
“To represent one’s country is the greatest honour that is bestowed on any sportsman. I will wear my colours with pride and I will represent South Africa with dignity.”
Kurshan became the first junior player of Indian descent to enter the Kwazulu-natal Premier League in 2016. After an encouraging debut season, he started to turn heads with some serious performances last year.
It was his showing in the highly competitive provincial league that caught the eye of the national selectors. This will be his first international tournament.
Last month, he got the perfect taste of top level competition when he was handed the chance to play seven-time World Snooker champion Stephen Hendry at the Arnold Classic in Sandton City.
“It was very exciting but it made me very nervous to play such an accomplished player. The experience was invaluable.
“I am very thankful to Ishaun Singh from Joy Billiards who invited me to play Stephen. He took a video of me practising and showed it to Stephen when they were in China and that’s where this match got set-up.”
With just a few weeks to go before he heads to Asia, the 17-year-old must now practice around the clock.
His father and coach, Cuban, has set out a demanding programme to ensure that he is sharp and ready for the tournament.
“Kurshan has only been playing for three years and has already reached a very high standard,” his father said. “He has to work on handling the big stage and have confidence in his ability.
“We have upped his training to five hours a day on the table and arranged practice games with the best senior players in the province.”
Kurshan expects a challenging ride in China but is hoping to learn as much as possible. “My goals are to gain experience and do the best I can.”