Ace cueist Sourav Kothari has criticised the national federation for not doing enough to promote the sport in the country.

“It’s a very sad story at the moment. We have not done enough to promote the sport, getting involved in petty issues, politics and short term gains,” he said in Kolkata on Tuesday without taking names.

The former national champion was upset the authorities did little to include it in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

India bagged a gold, silver and two bronze medals at the Guangzhou Asiad after the CWG and Kothari said it was an event they were assured of three-four medals. “I don’t know but something somewhere is missing. We are not doing enough to bring it back. People need to act together,” Kothari said.

He hoped cue sports would be back in the 2022 Asian Games in China where it is popular.

Echoing Kothari’s views, Brijesh Damani, who won a team silver at the Asian Games, said, “I fully agree... I’ve some fond memories of the Asiad.”

Kothari cited the example of kabaddi, which has soared in popularity after the launch of the Pro Kabaddi league.