Asiad build-up in a pool of mess

“We do seem to have some problem with acquiring the pool and carrom tables but we will soon have them,” assured Girish Parekh, vice-president of the Billiards & Snooker Federation of India (BSFI), while speaking to The Indian Express.

Bangalore had been selected the Games camp for the convenience of the selected players (most of whom are either from west or south India) and the willingness of the Karnataka Snooker & Billiards Association (KSBA) to host the camp, noted Parekh.

But that appears to be thecause of the trouble, with the KSBA facing technical snags in getting the tables. Parekh revealed the Government of India holds the rights to import pool tables on behalf of the BSFI. But the fine print reads that either the KSBA or the BSFI should foot the bill.This means an additional financial burden, with the cost of each table running to the tune of Rs 2.5 lakh.

Non-availability of the tables is surely a case of short-sightedness on part of the Federation which could have thought of arranging the infrastructure beforehand. After all, it is the Asian Games gold we are aiming for.“Either the tables will be obtained or we must shift the camp for pool and carrom to some place where the tables are already present, like Delhi,” added Parekh. He refused to comment on a deadline for the arrangement.The BSFI held a general body meeting on September 1 at Calcutta but no decision has been made public. Parekh did not comment on the meeting as he had not attended it. “I have yet to receive the minutes of themeeting,” he said.

With the countdown for the Bangkok Games having begun, the BSFI finds itself in an embarrassing situation. “Arrangements will be made,” reiterated Parekh. The question remains, when?