JOIN US The Karnataka State Billiards Association, the mecca of cue sports in the country, had a special visitor on Tuesday morning -- cricket legend Ian Chappell.
The former Australian captain, who will be in the Garden City for a month in connection with India’s away series to England, plays snooker and pool during his leisure time and after hearing highly about the KSBA from former Australian billiards player Robert Foldvari, has chosen to spend his mornings at the club.
“Chappell is in the City for a month and apparently he is a regular snooker player. He was looking at places where he could play and happened to hear about us. People close to him got in touch with us and we immediately asked him to be our guest,” said a KSBA member.
Chappell’s first tryst with the KSBA eventually turned out to be a memorable one. As he walked into the playing hall with his personal cue, awaiting him was nine-time world champion Pankaj Advani. Forced to be spectator by Advani, Chappell then decided play on his own before Advani’s brother Shree and a member of the KSBA played a few frames with him. Delighted to have shared the table with the legendary cricketer-turned-commentator, Advani said the Aussie passion for all sports was very evident. “Although he told me he hadn’t touched the cue for a month, there were no signs of rust.
His game was really smooth. He kept chatting about various cueists and seemed to know a lot of the sport. It was great moment. I hope to play some more games in the coming days.”