I am more a pro now: Pankaj Advani

PUNE: Ace cueist PankajAdvani says he considers himself to be a professional player more now although he has returned to the amateur circuit of billiards and snooker.
Advani decided to give up his status as a professional player after playing two years in the circuit in the United Kingdom. The 2006 Khel Ratna awardee said he felt more as a professional now than ever before.
"Being a pro you only get to play the ranking tournaments in the UK. You are not a pro in the true sense," he said.
"I gave up playing in the UK, but I am playing both billiards and snooker. I consider myself a pro now.
"I played for two years in the UK because I wanted that exposure. I wanted to compete with all the big players; I got that and did pretty well for a newcomer.
"But there is more to life than just one circuit in one country. I was also missing out on billiards." Advani, the 2006 Khel Ratna awardee, was unperturbed by the fact that cue sport was not part of the Asian Games programme this year in Incheon, Korea.
"I would love to be part of those quadrennial events, but if you ask any player with true sporting spirit, he will tell you these events are not the be-all and end-all of sport," Advani, who has won two gold medals at Asiad, said.
"Yes, I cherish my Asian Games medals, but I rate my World Championship victory more," added the 29-year-old.