AHMEDABAD, JAN 1: The glint of an Asiad gold tucked in his bag was unable to attract even a single Gujarat Government official to the airport when reigning world billiards champion Geet Sethi landed here, along with a silver medal, on December 21. The motley crowd which had gathered there to welcome him comprised of his wife, kids and a few close friends.Almost two weeks after Sethi won for himself and his country the first ever Asian Games billiards gold - the sport was included for the first time in the recently concluded 13th Asian Games at Bangkok - there has not been a single word of appreciation, forget felicitation ceremonies, for the local boy from his home state.When contacted Sports Minister Mahendra Trivedi said, ``We were not aware of his presence in Ahmedabad. Moreover, I have been extremely busy since the last one week. I had sent an officer from my department last week to find out about Sethi, but he could not provide any information.''However, after being told by this newspaper thatSethi was very much present in Ahmedabad the minister said, ``Now that we know he is here we will surely send him a bouquet. We are very proud of him.''Perhaps busy trying to control frenzied mobs from burning churches and lining up bridges with saffron flags the State Government has shown a most lackadaisical and insensitive attitude towards one of its most famous sons.``There was no one at the airport when I landed here except a few people close to me,'' says the champion, adding, ``not a single soul has called me up till now.'' He recounts with more than a hint of bitterness the way fellow Mumbai player Ashok Shandiliya, who won the singles gold and was Sethi's partner in the doubles, was received at Mumbai airport. ``It was amazing. There were nearly 500 people waiting there.''Sethi is not whimpering, just hurt at the indifference meted out to him, especially after hearing stories of tumultuous welcomes for fellow sportspersons like Jyotirmoyee Sikdar and Shandiliya from their home states.``Maybe, they don't get the newspapers here on time,'' he smiles ruefully.Sportspersons in Ahmedabad haven't lost the irony. Rupesh Shah, upcoming billiards player, who has ``always idolised Geet'', says, ``India can't boast of many world champions. Sportsmen like him are few in India. The least the government can do is to encourage them. He has always given 100 per cent to this country.''A sport like billiards perhaps doesn't find a place in the political agenda of a state like Gujarat where sports has always been at a premium. Had Sethi been from Calcutta or Mumbai perhaps the story would have ended in a different note. And there might have been people waiting for him at the airport.
