Excerpts:

A: It was shameful. We were the only team that went in for the Games with absolutely no practise, because the BSFI could not provide for a single pool table for the players. Does one need to say anything more about mismanagement?

Q: What was the problem?

A: Obviously it could not have been non-availability when private entrepreneurs have managed to put up 6,000-7,000 tables in the country in the past year itself. It was a bureaucratic mess-up. The government was to pay 75 per cent of the cost and the BSFI was paying the rest. Then, just weeks before the Asian Games, they decided they have to have nine quotations before they could take a decision.

Q: So...?

A: The bottomline was that it was thecombined inefficiency and lack of professionalism of the BSFI and the government which made the players suffer. And the best part is that they do not even feel ashamed about it!

Q: What is the position of India vis-a-vis the other countries in cue sports?

A: Billiards and snooker have been traditionally dominated by India, England, Australia and Malta at the championship level. India have very good players like Nalin Patel (world No 7), Ashok Shandilya (world No 9), Devendra Joshi (world No 10). There is also good support from the media. The BSFI has a world class product. If they cannot market it well and get funds, the deficiency lies with them, not with the sport.

Q: You mentioned `championship level'. Isn't part of the problem this that these sports have always been seen as elitist?

A: That's true, but this is now changing with so many pool parlours coming up in the country. With this, the sport has really gone to the masses.

Q: Will this have an impact at the championshiplevel?

A: Definitely! In the bygone years there were few players in the game, yet we have consistently managed to produce world champions. Now that the base is broadening, the opportunities to find talent is that much bigger.

Q: How do you then react to the government's stand on closing down pool parlours in Karnataka and the proposed entertainment tax in Maharashtra?

A: It defies logic! How can you tax something that is a medal sport? It is as ridiculous as taxing every athletic track, cricket pitch, tennis court and football ground. The fact is that just because the sport has shot into the limelight, the government wants to make a fast buck off it. I am surprised why Suresh Kalmadi has not taken the issue up in his capacity as president of the Indian Olympic Association till now.