Young talent key to promote snooker

Pune is a lovely city,and given the chance I would probably settle down here,but unfortunately most of my work is in Mumbai. I like its homely feel,and the fact that it can be quiet or boisterous,depending on what it needs to be, said renowned snooker player Yasin Merchant here on Monday.

Pune is a lovely city,and given the chance I would probably settle down here,but unfortunately most of my work is in Mumbai. I like its homely feel,and the fact that it can be quiet or boisterous,depending on what it needs to be, said renowned snooker player Yasin Merchant here on Monday.

In the city for the ongoing PYC-ATC Snooker Challenge tournament,Merchant is playing at PYC Gymkhana for the first time,though he has played in Pune several times before.

The 43-year-old cueist has the distinction of being Indias first professional snooker player. He has won the national championship three times and also has an Asian Games Gold in his name.

Merchant is playing the tournament as part of the team Rexello,and won his first match against Siddharth Pethe comfortably – 52-8,78-1. He is pleased with the way the tournament has been organised,mainly due to the fact that there are a lot of youngsters in the draw,which he feels will play a big part in promoting the sport further. The first match was good. I got a lot of good opportunities and openings which was a big confidence-booster. However,every match is different and you have to be alert,because not every player will give you so much leeway.

The former Asian snooker champion has been practising with the members of the Rexello team for about 6 months now,and hopes that they can do well. I like playing with these guys,because all of them play an attacking game which is similar to mine. All of us play at the same club in Mumbai,so we decided to form a team together.

After this tournament,Merchant is gearing up for the All-India Invitational in Chennai,where he will compte with the best players in the country. He has also set his sights on the next Asian Games,the selections for which will be held soon.

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Young talent key to promote snooker

Pune is a lovely city,and given the chance I would probably settle down here,but unfortunately most of my work is in Mumbai. I like its homely feel,and the fact that it can be quiet or boisterous,depending on what it needs to be, said renowned snooker player Yasin Merchant here on Monday.

Young talent key to promote snooker

Pune is a lovely city,and given the chance I would probably settle down here,but unfortunately most of my work is in Mumbai. I like its homely feel,and the fact that it can be quiet or boisterous,depending on what it needs to be, said renowned snooker player Yasin Merchant here on Monday.