Sparsh Pherwani who recently became the state’s junior champion in snooker and billiards is now eyeing the Under-21 World Championships that will be held next month. Currently, India’s number two in snooker billiards, he beat Radio Club’s Rayaan Razmi to get the crown.
The 19-year-old cueist is the only one from the family to pick up the cue stick. It wasn’t very long ago though. Pherwani would often accompany his elder brother when he went with his friends to play pool. Elder siblings generally never give share very easily, and his story is similar.
While the elder brother played, the younger one only watched. When he got the chance, he could not even reach the table to play a shot. Gradually, as he was growing up, Pherwani tried his hand at the green baize. “I just wanted to try it. I was highly amused. Soon, I realized that I can play decently,” he says. “One thing I never thought was that I’d get here.”
The year was 2012. His parents were not that keen on letting him continue this activity. The elder sibling was on his route to become a Chartered Accountant by then. Young Sparsh had to stop his newly found endeavor suddenly. For two months his parents swayed him away from the sport. For them it was a teenager indulging in making an impulsive decision. He had already aimed at the state selections tournament long ago but this obstacle stood in his way.
“They were reluctant and I was adamant. So I convinced my mother to let me play the state selections tournament. I got a bronze in that without any practice or coaching. My parents were partly convinced,” he recalls. A couple of similar feats in different competitions were instrumental in assuring them.
In 2014, he started training under the legend, Yasin Merchant. The growth is certainly visible. “He teaches you to become a good human more than anything,” says Pherwani.
He will also take a shot at the pro school event next year for the leagues in England. But his current target is to get best results in the championship in China.
