" Good to know that i am still the best "

He now has his seventh World billiards championship title to his credit and has broken the world record for the sessions average held for 23 years and will get a prestigious second entry in the Guinness book of World Records. Geet Sethi was back in the city for a quiet time with his family after winning the tournament in New Zealand.

He talks about one of the most memorable tournaments of his life, in which he compiled record breaking breaks of 856 & 636 in the second two-hour session of the six-hour contest to Binita Parikh.

Q: How does it feel to be declared the World champion for the seventh time?

A: (smiling) Naturally, there is great joy. But more than joy, I feel satisfaction that I am still the best. It is a good feeling to have.

Q: You won a major tournament after a gap of three years. How does it feel?

A: It feels great. I was in one of my best forms. I have not played like this since 1992. I feel that I have matured as a player and I am a better player today. I am able to strike a proper balance between enthusiasm, motivation and practice. I am prepared mentally. After six world titles, I was content and not playing with any personal agenda. Now, I play for a cause — winning laurels for my country. I feel that it is a God’s gift and I will continue to play.

Q: How did you prepare for the tournament? Did you get time from your corporate responsibilities as the vice-president of Satyam Info?

A: If you are enthusiastic about something, you can find time for it. I practiced for about three to four hours daily for at least three months before the tournament. Practice is a very necessary element. And my company wants me to play. So I got their support too.

Q: So what are your plans for the future?

A: I am looking forward to the upcoming Asian Games at Pusan. I feel that I will be able to perform well in the professional circuit and have a good chance of winning the UK Open and the British Open.

Q: With the Asian Games approaching, one cannot help remember the bitter experinces of the Indian contingent last time. What would you expect from the bureaucracy this time?

A: As long as bureaucracy is there, we can not get rid of bureaucratic attitude. I wish that they would play a proper role in planning and respect the sportsperson. Simple things like tickets for the sports persons and getting the sports kit before the sports contingent leaves to represent the country should be taken care of properly. The sports persons are ambassadors for their country and should be treated with respect as such. I think it is tragic that they are not treated with respect by the bureaucracy.

Q: So we can expect more brilliant performances from you in the future and not expect your job to interfere with your sports career?

A: I feel that I have regained the form I had in 1992 and am now interested in playing. I manage to balance my corporate duties and sports practice. I have the metal inclination and the enthusiasm and motivation, which is very important to win. At a personal level, I feel have achieved what I wanted and more. I am now playing for India and want to continue to play and bring medals and laurels for India.

Republished from The Asian Age