Bangalore:
Reigning World Professional Billiards Champion, Pankaj Advani was on Tuesday presented the Eklavya award,the highest recognition for a sportsperson in Karnataka in recognition of his achievements.
He was also presented a cheque for Rs 10 lakh at a function by State Home Minister, V S Acharya.
Twentyfour-year-old Advani, a Padmashree awardee, is the reigning IBSF World Billiards Champion (Time and Points Format).
The Bangalore sportsman who had been conferrred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2006), Arjuna Award (2004) and Rajiv Gandhi Award (2004) had earlier declined to accept the Eklavaya award in 2007 on grounds that the state government had adopted a discriminatory attitude to the sport.
"I had declined the award then because I felt that the government had not treated the sports on par with others. But I guess I do not like to hold grudges. This government has been proactive and recognised my achievements and I thought I should respond and accept the award", he said.
"I thank the state government for appreciating my efforts", he said. "It has not been my own individual effort but a combination of small efforts by my family, coach, KSBA. They have supported me throughout my career".
"I have always said and maintain, I belong to Bangalore, I belong to Karnataka", Pankaj, the reigning National Billiards and Snooker Champion said.
Acharya congratulated Pankaj, the only person in the world to win the World Professional Billiards Title, IBSF World Billiards, Time and Point Format Titles and IBSF world Snooker Title and assured that the state government "would provide all possible help in his efforts to scale new heights in the sport".
He said that the the Youngest Indian and Asian to win the World Professional Billiards Title would also be given a BDA site shortly. "The process is on", he said. Incidentally Advani had been promised the site over a year ago.
Advani has bagged seven world titles, six Asian titles and 19 national titles.