Yasin Merchant fumes at being denied the Padma Shri

Two words which make snooker supremo Yasin Merchant seethe with anger are:u00a0 Padma Shri. The two-time Asian champion and Busan Asian Games gold medalist is at his wits end as to why the Indian government has yet to bestow him with this award.

"My achievements speak for itself. In 2001, it was announced that I had been given the award but when the final list was declared my name was strangely omitted," said the exasperated Mumbaikar.


NO BAIZE OF GLORY: Yasin Merchant makes a point

Former world billiards champion Michael Ferreira had written in a column for MiD DAY that it is fantastic news that Yasin has been awarded the Padma Shri. But the government's volte face had left the green baize expert stunned. "In 2004-05 once again my name was doing the rounds but eventually I did not get the award. On merit alone I should have received the award long ago," fumed Yasin.

In Indian snooker, Yasin's achievements are mind-boggling. He is the only cueist to win the Asian snooker championship (1989, 2001), the only Indian to be ranked in the top-60 on the World professional circuit, and he famously won the doubles gold with Rafath Habib at the 2002 Busan Asian Games. Incidentally, that medal was India's first one at that particular Games and he has also won the National title on three occasions.

No names please
"I would not like to take names, but in the past there have been sportspersons with far lesser credentials who have receivedu00a0 the award," felt the 43-year-old.

"I don't have any political connections. I feel cheap approaching a politician. It's not my style. I deserve the award on merit," spewed Yasin. In the past, Pankaj Advani, Geet Sethi, Om Agrawal and Wilson Jones have been honoured with the Padma Shri while Michael Ferreira was given the Padma Bhushan. "I have written letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Congress President, Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary, and I am also planning to write to Suresh Kalmadi, the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), ''stated the outspoken cueist.

The veteran who honed his skills at the Khar Gymkhana has forwarded his application to the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) and has also received a confirmation.
"I am keeping my fingers crossed that 2010 will be my lucky year. The awards will be announced on January 26 (Republic Day) and if I win, I will throw a massive party,'' professed Yasin.

He has also met former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh twice. "He was really surprised that I had not yet been given the award. He felt I have an outstanding record."
Geet Sethi, the former World amateur and professional billiards champion, said: "Yasin really deserves the award. He is a phenomenal player and should have been given his due."

Yasin has legend ferreira's backing
Billiards maestro Michael Ferreira has come out in strong support in Yasin Merchant's fight to win the prestigious Padma Shri award. Ferreira was the National coach in 2001 when he received news that Merchant had won the award. "I really don't know why it didn't happen. He should have got the award."
Ferreira was also the president of the Billiards and Snooker Association of Maharashtra (BSAM) a post which he still occupies today. "He has all the credentials and would be a worthy winner."
Captain Mohan, the president of the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) stated: "I don't know why his name was not on the final list in 2001. I only became the president in 2006. We have forwarded his name to the Sports Ministry for the 2009-10 Padma Shri award." Mohan adds: "Yasin deserves the award. We will continue to persevere until he finally gets his recognition."