Women's Snooker: India - Part Two

Despite no dearth of talent, all is not well with the woman's version of the game. Lack of infrastructure is the biggest drawback, especially for players in smaller towns, where basic problems like billiards tables for practice remain the major issue. Mumbai and Bangalore-based players are in a better position here. Also, women players feel that their respective state association should take more interest to back the game.

To compound matters, men's snooker has seen a nosedive recently with the number of annual tournaments on the decline quips Mr. K. Nicholson, chairman of the tournament committee. He is forthright while explaining the shortcomings of the games in India, "The entire system is flawed - we must follow a ranking system where the player collecting the highest amount of points after competing in India's major events, represents the country in world events. Instead the snooker association sends the no. 1 player whether or not he performed consistently throughout the year.

Sanjay Sawant, tournament organizer, echoes Mr. Nicholson's opinion, adding that with women's snooker, there are few sponsors for top-ranking tournaments. "We have three high-level tournaments to compete in annually, which is obviously insufficient.", muses Pooja Galundia. Her complaint is supported by most players. Mr. Nicholson adds, "If corporate sponsors and state associations come forward to back the snooker associations, only then can we conduct tournaments on a regular basis and even rope international players to increase competitiveness."

However, a silver lining has emerged. With the Cricket Club of India holding this invitational tournament for the second time, plans are afloat to make it an annual affair. Nicholson hopes to put forward the proposal to CCI managing director, Mr., Raj Singh Dungarpur and these women can look forward to the event as a perfect lung-opener prior to the most important tournament: The National Championships.

The future of women's snooker in India looks tough, in Mr. Nicholson's words. Yet, one can only hope that with these gritty women holding the fort with admirable determination, snooker lovers and aspirants in India have something to smile about for a long time to come.

This article chronicles the development of the game in India with a very supportive view towards the future of women's snooker. It contradicts the very fact that often the women's game is shadowed by the men.

In India the men's snooker scene is seeing a decline in support with a dearth of tourneys for them. But for women, this article in one of India's leading newspapers will give the game the boost it needs.

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