R.B. Ganesh, a well-known international cue sports referee from India, has taken it upon himself to promote the game he loves. With large events in India being put on hold, Ganesh decided to focus his efforts on promoting grassroots-level talent and identifying new players. His initial plans fell through due to lack of support from sponsors, but he persisted in his search and eventually met with Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.
At the meeting, Ganesh proposed the idea of hosting a World professional snooker ranking event in Hyderabad, India, which could spark off more amateur events in the longer run. Ferguson gave his initial approval, and Ganesh is now moving forward with plans to sign an official agreement with the Indian Billiards & Snooker Federation. Ganesh has also met with the Telangana Sports Minister and the National cue sports governing body to seek their support.
The event is planned to take place in August, and Ganesh hopes that it will lead to a revival of cue sports in India. He has requested that the World body allow eight Indians as wild card entries, and he expects top players like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Luca Brecel, and Mark Selby to compete.
Ganesh’s friend and colleague, Kumar G. Rao, believes that the event could revolutionize participation in India and create more opportunities for young players. He references the impact that James Wattana had on the younger generation in Thailand and Ding Jinghui had on China.
Overall, Ganesh’s passion for cue sports has led him to take bold steps to promote the game in India. With the help of his colleagues and supporters, he hopes to create a new era of enthusiasm and participation in the sport.
