India billiards team receives SAI funding for Ireland event

The Sports Authority of India has approved financial assistance for India’s participation in the IBSF World Men’s Billiards Championship in Ireland. The support covers travel and related expenses for top players Sourav Kothari, Pankaj Advani and coach Ashok Shandilya

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

The championship, which concluded on April 29, saw the trio take part in the Ireland competition thanks to funding by the government under the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) scheme.

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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.