Cue sports will continue to get financial support: Maken

New Delhi: The Sports Ministry today came to the rescue of cue sports, saying the grant being given to them will not be stopped as has been decided by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

SAI had written to the Billiards and Snooker Federation (BSFI) of India that funds will not be given to them from now on since cue sports are not part of either Asian Games or Olympics. However, Sports Minister Ajay Maken today announced that they will continue to back the players financially. Maken, who is on a tour of North Eastern states, said he has spoken to the concerned officials about this. "Spoken to DG Sports Authority of India. Directed that funding and support to Billiards & Snooker to be retained. No cut!," Maken tweeted. Cue Sports has produced several world class players such as Pankaj Advani, Geet Sethi and Yasin Merchant. In all, Indian cueiest have won 29 World titles. PTI