Changing with time: BSFI replace formals with casual attires

In its bid to give an image makeover to the cue-sports in the country, the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India has decided to replace traditional bow-tie dress code with more casual and stylish attires.

The BSFI has already introduced the informal code for the Pool discipline and also in some of the recent selection camps the cueists were allowed to wear jeans and T-shirts while playing.

"We have already introduced the informal attire in the Pool discipline at the national level and are thinking to extend the idea to the snooker also. "Recently in the selection camps we have allowed informal attire. One needs to understand everything changes with the time. We are working towards that change as we also understand the need but we don't want to rush into something," BSFI President Capt PVK Mohan told PTI.

India's top cuists including reigning world professional billiards champion Pankaj Advani have long been demanding change in the dress code from very formal to colourful and vibrant ones.

Meanwhile, BSFI vice-President Ravi Tandon said: "We had discussed the idea with the Asian Confederation of Billiards Sports of which captain Mohan is a executive member. We would also discuss the idea with the International Billiards and Snooker Federation."

"The global process probably will take some time but we have initiated the change at home," Tandon said.

"In place of bow and tie, we can have half-sleeves narrow type jackets with emblem of national flag on it. That gives a player national pride. For billiards, we know it will take some time but we can certainly introduce this to the other cue-sport disciplines," he added.

Meanwhile, the BSFI has for the first time bagged the hosting right of the World Six-Red World Snooker Championship.

"World Six-Red will take place in India although we are yet to decide the city," Mohan said