Criticising the recent furore over the Padma Bhushan awards, ace cueist Pankaj Advani on Monday said one must let performance do the talking and not hanker after such government recognition.
Criticising the recent furore over the Padma Bhushan awards, ace cueist Pankaj Advani on Monday said one must let performance do the talking and not hanker after such government recognition.
“I would never go out and protest, you have to earn such awards and not hanker for it. I’m also waiting for the decision,” Advani, a 10-time world snooker and billiards title winner, said on the sidelines of the National Billiards & Snooker Championships here.
“We cannot demand recognition, we cannot demand certain things from the government or public. We are here to do our job. We love playing and representing our country. If you let your performance do the talking — in any sport — you will get it one day or other.”
Confirming that he also has been nominated for the third highest civilian award, he said: “My application is also gone and if the government thinks I don’t deserve it, then so be it.”
Advani, Kothari win Meanwhile, Advani defeated Subodh Lahiri of Uttar Pradesh 3-0 as all seeded players including defending champion Sourav Kothari enjoyed easy outings on the opening day of the championship. Advani scored the day’s highest break of 104 points in the third game to seal the win. Kothari outclassed Andhra Pradesh’s S. Shankar Rao 3-0. Alok Kumar of PSPB also had no difficulty in beating Rakesh Pradhan of Odisha 3-0.
