Cueists employ a cautious approach

However, the 1991 national champion confessed that his game has taken a dip. 8220;Since I got into business, I am somehow not able to derive the same kick from playing snooker. I am tentative and seem to be playing well only in patches,8221; said the bespectacled player, who had a six-year stint on the professional circuit but with little success.

The focus ispresently on James Wattana, at one time a demi-god in Thailand when he was ranked in the top five among professionals. But clearly, Wattana has left his best days behind him and is likely to fall out of the 1-20 rankings.

The other Indian in the snooker singles event, Alok Kumar, is drawn to meet a Vietnamese and if he comes through, which is likely, then he meets Pakistan8217;s Shaukat Ali, ranked No 39 in the professional circuit, in the first round.

The snooker has a 32-man draw with matches up to the semi-finals being decided on a best-of-nine frames basis and from there on, best-of-11. In billiards, though, India are virtually certain to bag the gold, though modesty prevented Geet Sethi, the reigning World champion to trumpet the fact. 8220;I am playing well and that is very important,8221; said Sethi as he took a break from an hour8217;s intense and very focussed practise session during which he cracked a 400-plus break.

The Indians would be taking part in the other variations of the sport, namely pool andcarroms where the Koreans and the Chinese seem to be holding all the aces.

FOR once, even the normally articulate Geet Sethi was stumped for words. He spoke in awe about the Asian Games Village and the life in it.8220;It has been a great experience for all of us. The atmosphere at the village is simply fantastic, so also the facilities and the arrangements. I have not experienced anything quite like it,8221; gushed forth Geet. 8221;This is the only opportunity for us to interact with other Indian sportspersons because we otherwise hardly get a chance to see them in action. I met Dhanraj Pillay, the weightlifters, shooters, and a few athletes. It was simply marvellous,8221; exclaimed Sethi himself looking more an athlete than a billiards champion, dressed as he was in a track suit and T-shirt.

For other members of the green-baize party, it has been as thrilling an experience. 8220;Oh, you have to visit the village. Everything is so organised, the food is excellent, the facilities are simply great,8221; said a breathless BBhaskar. 8221;Of course, on the pro tour, we are always together, but this is the first time as a team,8221; the young Karnataka State champion said. Young Manan Chandra of Delhi, who at 17 is the baby of the team, expressed similar sentiments and could hardly contain himself as he graphically described the rooms, the Village layout, and what not. The scholarly Yasin Merchant preferred to take a broader view while agreeing that inclusion in the Asian Games has been a tremendous boost for the sport. 8221;There is a buzz and a great deal of excitement,8221; he said. For a bunch of sportsmen who have been fighting for payments from the government and alleging step-motherly treatment, and complaining about the absence of pool tables, the players appeared to be in good heart as they look forward to their debut in a multi-sport event.