Daily Archives: December 3, 2014

A bigger role for Captain Mohan

The first-ever Hyderabadi to be elected the president of International Billiards and Snooker Federation

Captain P.V.K. Mohan became the first-ever Hyderabadi to head a world sports body when he was elected the president of the International Billiards and Snooker Federation for a period of two years. He beat Jim Leacy of Ireland by 28-21 votes.

For the 57-year-old Hyderabadi, it may be a added responsibility given the fact that he has been the vice-president of IBSF for quite some time and is also the president of BSFI since 2005. “It’s a huge honour and naturally means a bigger role to promote the sport worldwide. There is no doubt that cue sports are gaining popularity across the globe and millions watch it on TV,” says an elated Capt. Mohan, son of late Union Minister P. Upendra.

“Being familiar with what exactly the players need and look to the IBSF being myself the vice-president for long, I am confident of being equal to the task. Essentially, the players need more and more events with a well spaced out calendar to showcase their skills. India is a major host and Hyderabad has hosted two world championships already,” reminds the former national player.

“I will continue to be attached to cue sports here. The Cue Sports Academy being built on 1.2 lakh-square feet land near Nanakramguda in Hyderabad on the model of Crucible in UK should take the sport to a new level,” says Capt. Mohan. In fact, he saw to that Lucky Vatnani of Hyderabad I.V. Rajiv of Kakinada got wildcard entries in the ongoing World Snooker Championship in Bengaluru.

The Academy, being built at a cost of about Rs. 15 crore, will have 21 tables, including one centre table in a crucible-type structure with galleries, overhead fixed lighting and cameras too. “I can assure that the players will be looked after well. The BSFI has proved its credentials in conducting the world championships,” he signed off.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 29th, 2014