I wouldn't have demanded Padma Bhushan the way Saina, Vijender did: Cueist Advani

Kolkata: Famed cueist Pankaj Advani Monday said he would have never entered into a Padma Bhushan row in the way ace shuttler Saina Nehwal and boxer Vijender Singh did.

"I would never do such a thing, it is not my style. But they thought it was right to go out in the public and create a media outburst," said Advani, who is here to participate in the National Billiards and Snooker Championship at the Bengal Rowing Club.

The 12-time World champion also said rewards were an integral part of a sportsman life, and an award which has such credibility cannot be made less important because of some athlete raising their voice against it.

"Just because some people make a hue and cry in public does not make the award less important, it has a high credibility being the third highest civilian award in India."

"Let your performance do the talking and awards will surely come your way."

Earlier, Saina had gone on record saying that she was sad her name was not suggested for the Padma Bhushan.

Vijender also wanted the award after he saw the media buzz that went around the shuttler's comments. The 24-year-old's name was, however, sent to the ministry for the award Jan 5 after a media uproar.

Advani favoured an Indian Premier league (IPL) -styled snooker or billiards championship as the 'perfect mantra' for promoting cue sports in India as it will provide a window for the domestic players to showcase their talent on the world stage.

"An IPL-styled league will be the perfect mantra for spreading the game in India. If it can be feasible for cricket and kabaddi, they why not snooker? The state associations and the national federation should look into it," Advani said on the sidelines of the National Billiards and Snooker Championship at the Bengal Rowing Club here.

Holder of 12 world cue-sports titles Advani also said Indians are "obsessed" with the Olympics whereas it is not the "be all and end all " in sports.

"Indians are obsessed with Olympics, so what if snooker is not a part of it, for me the Asian tour and the World snooker Championships are just as important, just that it happens after every four years does not mean it has to be the be all and end all in sports," said Advani.