Geet Sethi

Geet Sethi is rated as one of the best billiards players the game has ever produced. His success as a cueist is remarkable. He is a fluent and immaculate player, having a lot of patience and concentration. And this cool temperament has always given an extra edge against his opponents. His dedication to the game is tremendous and his name is synonymous with the game itself.

He started playing at the young age of 13. From then on, he has never looked back. He won the amateur billiards championship in '85 and '87 and the world professional billiards championship in '92, '93 and '95. He has not only made a mark in billiards, but also snooker.

Awards:
Padma Shri
Arjuna Award
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
Birla Sports Award

He is known the world over for his spectacular display of shots. Often called 'Jeet' Sethi, he is an icon for many young cueists all over the world.

Sethi's other interest is music. In fact, music is such a passion with him that his son is named Raag and his daughter Jazz. He is presently living in Ahmedabad (where the office of his sports portal is located) with his wife, Kiran (the popular small-screen actress) and his children.

Recently, Geet Sethi was in our city at the venue of the World Under 21 Snooker Championship. Our correspondent, J.Vinay caught up with him at the Karnataka State Billiards Association and spoke to him about his sports portal and the future of the game of snooker.

Interview of Geet Sethi by J.Vinay

What differentiates your sportal from other sports portals?
Our portal encompasses all sporting events. We have billiards, tennis, badminton and many other exciting sports. We have columns written by Indian achievers, news, features…Padukone, Ashwini Nachappa and others write for us. We have interactive sessions with a psychologist and doctors writing on medicine and fitness. We plan to improve the site through audio and visual tools like online matches… and so on.

How do you shuttle between business and the game?
I keep shuttling between the job and game. At some point of time you have to do something. It's a stage which everyone has to face. There is more to life than the game. Over the last 4 to 5 years, yes, my practice sessions have reduced.

You think snooker has gained popularity over billiards?
Both billiards and snooker are no longer seen as elitist sports. Not in India, definitely. It is more personality driven than anything else.

Has pool spoiled billiards' Gentleman Image?
Nowadays, more people are into pool. But it hasn't taken the Gentleman's image.

Your successor?
Pankaj Advani, the present national junior snooker champion, is my successor. He has the stuff in him. There is more of him to be seen in future.

What's your advice to budding talents?
You think money is more important than the game itself? Money does play a role, but it comes only later. It shouldn't be the first thing in the sportsperson's mind.

The secret of your long breaks…
Intense concentration. It comes by practice…

Tell me something more about Sethi, the sports journalist?
I've enjoyed not only writing sports articles, but journalism as a whole. The print medium has power.