Srikanth’s journey to make a big impact in World Junior snooker

“I am excited but very determined to make it truly memorable by winning the title. In the first edition, I finished in the top 26 and then in the top 22. Now, in my third appearance, I would love to hold the trophy,” Srikanth said.

Hyderabad: By all means, G. Srikanth has come of age. Yes, at the age of 18, this young talent in cue sports is determined to make a mark when he makes his third appearance in the World Junior (Under-21) snooker championship in Bahrain next month.

A far cry from his early days when Srikanth was apparently snubbed by some when the six-year-old son of Ellamma, who is house-keeping staff member in the AP Cue Sports Association indoor hall at Khajaguda here and father Murali is into small-time business, evinced interest. “You cannot play this sport because of your financial background.” Well, this was the curt response by some at the venue.

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Deeply hurt by that, Srikanth decided to come up the hard way and thanks to Mr. Appa Rao, joint secretary of Telangana Cue Sports
Association, he started playing at the age of 13 years and slowly started making an impact to the surprise of quite a few at the
venue.He has been making in to the last eight or four consistently in most of the major All India tournaments including Nationals.

“Honestly, the day I was snubbed I decided to come back to the hall, making it big,” says the Intermediate 2nd year student in a chat with
‘Telangana Today’. Srikanth made it to the World championship next month during the camp-cum-selections by topping them in Bengaluru featuring top eight (he is ranked India No.2 in the under-16 category) and the top four were picked for the World Juniors.

“I am excited but very determined to make it truly memorable by winning the title. In the first edition, I finished in the top 26 and
then in the top 22. Now, in my third appearance, I would love to hold the trophy,” Srikanth said.

And his preparations? “Well, I have been training eight hours daily with the members of the TCSA and thankful to many of them and
especially to Appa Rao sir for being a source of immense strength, chipping in with financial support,” says the grateful, young cueist, who
admires legend Ronny O’ Sullivan.

With the Sports Authority of India expected to bear the expenses for the World Juniors, Srikanth is in a comfort zone to focus more on
training and come back with glory.

“I want to be the inspiration for many by winning the World championship,” he signed off on a confident note.