YASIN MERCHANT'S recent 8-4 victory over China's Jin Long in the 2001 Asian snooker championship has spread a much-needed feeling of cheer amongst the followers of snooker in the country. Intriguingly, Merchant has donned his second Asian snooker crown at a time when other competitors had written him off as a spent force in international snooker. Ironically, Merchant himself had eased himself slowly out of the competitive mode ever since relinquishing a top 64 position in the world professional snooker ranking about three years ago.
The toil, obsession, sacrifices and blinkered pursuit of a mirage like goal in the intensely competitive world of professional snooker had cleared Merchant's mind about where his priorities were. The pursuit of that mirage like goal and the rewards, which go with it, required Merchant to spend much time in the UK. With the responsibility of looking after his wife and children and with the additional distraction of looking after the family business, it did not take long for Merchant to give up his professional snooker cap and come back to India.
His competitive zest diminished somewhat but the challenges of amateur snooker in India and the Asian zone kept him occupied. He participated in the Asian Games in 1998 and was unlucky to miss out on a medal despite playing like a champion. With minimal practise and more importantly with declining focus, Merchant's ability to be considered a serious threat in India speaks volumes for his authentic talent and for his genuine pedigree as a one of the finest Indian snooker players.
A very revealing incident many years ago draws a telling picture of his personality. The year was 1988 and we both had just concluded what turned out to be a one-sided snooker match in the final of the National championship in Guntur. I defeated him 6-1. We were waiting for the prize distribution to start and Yasin was seated in the front row with my wife Kiran and me in the second row.
This was minutes after the conclusion of the match and with the sting of defeat still hurting; he suddenly turned around and said, " I will beat you one day. I promise you I will defeat you." The suddenness and the spontaneous manner in which he blurted this very passionate threat made me burst into laughter.
But there was a burning desire within him, which he eventually converted, to victory and fame for himself. It took him only a year after that threat to defeat me convincingly and for many years after that I was unable to get the better of him in competitive snooker. He still retains that intensity, be it in his game, in his daily routine or in his writings. And it is that intensity and obsession with perfection which has earned him rich rewards in the years following that most memorable incident.
His victory in the National snooker championship at Chennai in January this year was not unexpected, considering the revealing and glaring lack of talent and commitment (except for a couple of players like Manan Chandra). Yet, Merchant could still not consider himself as a title contender in any international tournament. The sport in Asia has progressed at a break neck speed, fuelled by the achievements first of Thailand's James Wattana and more recently by the deeds of Hong Kong's Marco Fu. The general standards of the game in these countries and the deteriorating Indian standards has increased the already existing gap between Asian and Indian snooker.
Under the circumstances Merchant's victory needs to be applauded with more fervour and gusto. Not only has he brought glory to himself, his family and to his country, but his second Asian snooker title achieved after 12 year, could well open the floodgates of subconscious belief amongst the up and coming talent in India. Cueists like Chandra, who recently finished runner-up in the World under 21, are bound to draw inspiration from Merchant's victory. The 'if he can do it, I can do it too' thought process will be triggered off and with the Asian Games only a year away, the chances of adding a snooker medal to the billiards medals have increased dramatically.
The country needs to thank this cueist, who is a perfect role model for the next generation. Intensely disciplined, totally dedicated both to the family and to the game and mixing a curious blend of progressive intelligence and conservatism in daily life, there is a lot one can learn from this 34-year-old, who still works out to keep his body and mind in good shape.
Well done, Yasin and thank you for giving hope and belief to the next generation of snooker players in India.
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