Having reached the pinnacle of his career at just 20,India's new Khel Ratna Pankaj Advani said he will start a new journey toexcellence from here.
Advani remarked he will take cue from previous winners of this highest sportinghonour like Sachin Tendulkar who scaled greater heights after bagging the awardin 1997-1998.
"Before me Sachin Tendulkar and Abhinav Bindra got this award at a veryyoung age and they reached new heights after that. I will also build on thisachievement knowing well that expectations are going to increase," Advanisaid in an interview.
The Bangalore player has established his supremacy in cue sports by bagging theworld snooker and billiards titles but he is not prepared to rest on his laurelsand is already planning to undergo a training stint in England.
"There is going to be pressure on me but at the moment I am enjoying thismoment and will cherish it for a long time. It is a personal high and definitelya big boost.
"This is the trophy every sportsperson wants on his board," said theplayer who led the Indian team to the final of the World Snooker TeamChampionship in USA.
Only the second cueist to receive the honour after Geet Sethi, Advani said hewould also look to improve his technique.
"I have the best coach in Arvind Savur but I will be training in Englandfor sometime before the Asian Games," Advani said.
Asked about the secret behind his success so far, the cueist said he managed tokeep a poker face during matches.
"I keep my face completely expression-less so my opponent is never able tounderstand what I am up to next and that gives me an edge," he said.
Advani's psychologist Pavan Choudary said "Pankaj is one-man orchestra. Heis a very good role model for the youth because he is a good player, goodstudent, good son and above all a good person."
Advani believes the basic inspiration for youth would come only when more numberof domestic tournaments are introduced.
"I may be looked up to but we need more number of domestic tournaments aswe have enough international tournaments in a year," he said.
The ONGC player, who has finished his bachelors course in commerce and willpursue a post-graduate diploma in the subject, said he would do his bit for thegame.
Advertisement
"I want to give back to the game which has givenme so much in last 10 years. I will be a part of a school programme in which Iwill play in the schools to generate interest for the game," he said.
PTI
