At 41, Stuart Bingham, former world champion, is still a force to reckon with as he moves around with a touch of class in the venue of the ongoing fourth Indian Open world- ranking snooker tournament at Novotel Hotel here on Tuesday.
For someone who has the rare distinction of a football stadium named after him by his home town club Basildon United in Esses (UK), Bingham says that he can still go strong for another five to 10 years.
“Yes, it was a huge honour when the stadium was named after me. They just asked me whether they can use my name after me after I won the world title as my home town did not have any world champions. I also felt it would be good publicity for me also,” said Bingham.
“I am still enjoying my game though it is a bit more harder to travel around as it means staying away from my family especially the two kids,” said the Englishman, who makes it a point that his endeavour has always been to be a role model for any young player.
“Yes, the level of the game is so high and with so many players emerging from countries such as China, Thailand. It is really global sport now,” he said to another query.
Bingham, who has the rare distinction of winning World championships both as an amateur and as a professional, doesn’t believe that there is a threat to the 15-red format of snooker despite growing popularity for the other formats.
“Yes, I hope snooker to be included in the Olympics. This talk has been going on for a while and I wish one day my son will play in the Olympics,” he said. “It is always great experience to play in the Indian Open because of the excellent facilities for the players and also the hospitality. There is so much of fun playing here.”
On India’s ace cueist Pankaj Advani, Bingham said that the Indian got the mind and the touch to be a champion performer but might need that power of the cue. “But his achievements have already been truly remarkable at the highest level,” he said.
“I enjoyed my journey so far and wish to sign off with a few memorable wins in the big league,” said Bingham.