Rajan Khinvasara- Chairman of Manisha Group of Companies is the man behind successful Real Estate Company known by its development in Residential, Commercial / Shopping Mall, IT Parks, Multiplex; Entertainment and Hospitality in Pune.
He is the President of Billiards & Snooker Federation of India (BSFI) as well the Billiards & Snooker Association of Maharashtra (BSAM)
He has served 2 Terms as Vice President of BSFI: Yr. 2010-2014 & Yr. 2014-2018 & as President of BSAM (Yr. 2014- 17). Vice President of BSAM for two terms (Yr. 2008-2011 & Yr. 2011- 2014)
Dated back in 1985, he recalls his first encounter with the world of cue sports at The New Club (Poona) Ltd; and thereafter at The Poona Club, where he developed his passion to play snooker and got playing at the Poona Club. Since then it’s been 36 years and there’s no looking back. When asked to share this journey, he is amazed and proud to reach at a level where he is able to contribute immensely to this sport. From being the Title sponsor of 13 National Championships held across India (Year 2006- 2020) & 2 Asian Championships held in India (Yr. 2014 & 2018 to 6 World Championships (Yr. 2007 to 2019), the feat continues.
Year 2021 was a challenging year for the Billiards & Snooker Federation of India (BSFI); but Kudos to the President, Rajan Khinvasara that despite the pandemic and dire situations , BSFI has successfully managed to end 2021 on an optimistic & commendable note for the Cue-sports Fraternity of India.
With prevalent Covid restrictions and limitations “The 88th Billiards and Snooker Nationals and 10th 6 Red Snooker” took off with a bang on the 24th of November 2021 and successfully concluded with a dash of splendor on 29th of Dec 2021, just before the omicron surge across the country.
The Nationals were postponed by 10 months, due to the Pandemic, nevertheless the President and his team were determined and how.” this was the first time that both the 2 Championships were hosted in the same venue successively”.
With unfeigned thanks to the Almighty for its benign blessings that sailed us through the 36 days of this magnanimous Championship without anyone being affected by Covid, Mr. Rajan Khinvasara expressed his heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Sunil Bajaj, the most efficient Secretary-General of BSFI & Hon. Secretary of MPBSA & his team members for the tremendous work without which this tournament wouldn’t have been possible; the Chancellor & CMD- Er. Sanjeev Agarwal of SAGE University and his subordinates for generously supporting BSFI with top class facilities and a majestic venue of the SAGE University; The M.P. Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs, Mr. Ashok Shandilya, the National Coach & team and the Chief Referee, Mr. Prakash Mehrotra and his fellow referees.
This 36 days National Championship witnessed the participation of 970 players from age 11 to 70 years; it was notably a marathon compendium of 14 Events, diligently conducted by 26 Referee-Official.
The winners were:
1. 10th 6 Red Snooker– S. Shrikrishna (PSPB)
2. Ladies- Vidya Pillai (Kar).
3. 88th Senior Billiards- Pankaj Advani (PSPB)
4. 88th Senior Snooker- Ishpreet Singh (Mah)
5. 30th Ladies Billiards- Varshaa Sanjeev (Kar)
6. 30th Ladies Snooker- Amee Kamani (MP).
7.46th Junior Boys- Billiards -Rayaan Razmi ( Mah).
8. 46th junior boys Snooker- Rayaan Razmi (Mah).
9. 14th junior girls-Billiards- Anupama R. (TN).
10. 14th junior girls Snooker- Anupama R. (TN)
11. 17th Sub junior boys Billiards- Sumehr Mago (Mah).
12. 17th Sub junior boys Snooker- Ranveer Duggal (Chand).
13. 14th Sub junior girls Billiards- Snenthra Babu (TN)
14. 14th Sub junior girls Snooker- Kanisha Jurani (MP).
Overcoming the never ending obstacles and creating such grandeur moment as the concluding Nationals is an achievement to boast but the relentless Mr. Rajan Khinvasara exclaims. ‘it’s still a long way to go …he will take a toast only when this sport gets the much deserving fame and position on the Indian Sports scene and a top spot in the Olympics”. His thrust is towards marketing and branding of Cue sports on Pan India level in order to tap as much potential from the smaller cities and rural areas and bring in new players/ talent in the forefront. He wishes to see cue sports being coached in every school and colleges in India, as part of their curriculum.
