Two years after he had turned down the honour, reigning World Professional Billiards Champion Pankaj Advani on Tuesday accepted the Eklavya award, the highest recognition for a sportsperson in Karnataka.
He was presented a cheque for Rs 10 lakh at a function by State Home Minister V S Acharya.
Twenty four-year-old Advani, a Padmashree awardee, is the reigning IBSF World Billiards Champion (Time and Points Format).
The Bangalore sportsman, who had been conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2006), Arjuna Award (2004) and Rajiv Gandhi Award (2004), had earlier declined to accept the Eklavaya award in 2007, alleging the state government had adopted a discriminatory attitude to the sport.
"I had declined the award then because I felt that the government had not treated the sports on par with others. But I guess I do not like to hold grudges. This government has been proactive and recognised my achievements and I thought I should respond and accept the award", he said.
"I thank the state government for appreciating my efforts", he said.
"It has not been my own individual effort but a combination of small efforts by my family, coach, KSBA.
They have supported me throughout my career".
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