SAI extended financial support to cueists for IBSF World Billiards Championship

NEW DELHI: (Apr 30) The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has sanctioned financial assistance for India’s participation in the just-concluded IBSF World Men’s Billiards Championship in Ireland, backing the 2026 edition World Champion Sourav Kothari, multiple-time world champion Pankaj Advani and coach Ashok Shandilya.

The championship, which concluded on Wednesday, saw the trio take part in the competition with funding from the government under the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) scheme.

SAI approved a total expenditure of approximately Rs 6.46 lakh to the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) towards the team’s participation, covering key components such as travel, boarding, lodging and other competition-related expenses.