In many ways, it was a most disappoiting show by India. There were gross failures at the pool table (9-ball, carrom and 8-ball) which was hardly surprising considering that the players came here with little or no preparations.

In fact, almost all the players voiced strong views that back in India, they were not provided with proper equipment, like tables and cues. ``When we came here,we were desperately searching for cues to play the pool game. I thought I can manage with my billiards cue, but I couldn't play at all,'' said Arun Agrawal.

The other pertinent point raised by a senior player was whether there was need at all to enter the pool events. ``We all knew we had no pool tables to practise on, no proper cues and some guys were not even aware of all the rules. Then was there any sense in sending such a large contingent to the Asian Games at government expense?'' asked a senior on the condition of anonymity.

The carrom and pool events were an embarrassment. The Indian players barely got the basics right before they were out of the competition. It just did not make sense that players arrived for the Asian Games without any preparation, and precious funds were wasted on the pool sport which has neither the roots nor a comparable following in India.

Off the table, there were unpleasant issues concerning the non-clearance of coach Arvind Savur (who subsequently made the trip), thenthe non-presentation of promised kit which, when distributed, was without several items ! As such, the debut was not exactly to India's liking. In the first place, it was only at the insistence of Thais, who were hoping for a golden show from James Wattana, a former top-10 player now on the decline, which never materialised, that the sport was introduced.