Veteran actor Feroz Khan, who lost his battle to cancer yesterday, was always known for being a self-made man. Born to a Pathan father and an Iranian mother, he spent his entire childhood in Bangalore, a city he was deeply attached to till his last moments.
Though a famous Bollywood actor and film producer in India, unbeknown to most, Khan won the salutations for his involvement in billiards and snooker.
The Champion of Champions tournament in India was a forerunner for other major competitions, including the 1991 World under-21 championship where the hugely gifted and current World No.1 Ronnie O'Sullivan won his first major international as a 16-year old. In fact, thanks to Feroz, the game enjoyed unprecedented popularity and following in India. The sport will surely miss him.
If there is one sponsor Indian green baize sport should remember, then it is Feroz whose timely support 20 years ago took the game to the next level.
If memory serves me right, it was in the late 1980s when one night, I was hobnobbing with the officials of the Karnataka State Billiards Association about an impending crisis. The KSBA had organised a major tournament inviting the cream of Indian snooker talent. The draw was made, the players had arrived and the tournament had attracted considerable media coverage.
With less than 12 hours to go for the start of the event, came the news that the sponsor had pulled out, leaving KSBA, desperately short of funds then, in a spot. Feroz was in our group and the then KSBA secretary BV Sachidananda Murthy (Sachu for short) looked at the Bollywood star in sheer desperation.
I vividly remember the conversation.
Feroz to Sachu: What's the problem? You look very hassled.
Sachu: Feroz, we are in deep trouble. Our sponsor has just now pulled out. The players are here and we don't have money!
Feroz: Ok. So how much do you need?
Sachu: About Rs 50,000, including Rs 40,000 for the prize-money.
Feroz (without hesitation): Is that it? No problem. I will put the money. Make sure the tournament is held as scheduled. I will have the money sent across in the morning. One request. Can you rename the tournament Champion of Champions?
The spontaneity with which Feroz made the offer floored us all. Those days, 50 Grand was a huge amount and with that one generous act, Feroz became a super hero in the billiards fraternity. He went a step further and hosted a grand dinner after the final. He walked up to all of us and thanked for the coverage we had provided.
From that day, Feroz was the first choice sponsor and he did back a few tournaments until work kept him away from the game. But he made it a point to visit the KSBA when in Bangalore and on occasions, knock the balls around at the table. He was an average player, but good enough to win a round or two. Indian billiards will sure miss him.
Source: http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14883753 [Retrieved 27 April 2009]
The news has shocked the film and billiards industry in India, and many have expressed their grief at his sudden demise.
Here's a young Feroz pic as an actor. Wow, does he look like Louie Roberts or what!? This is probably taken about the same time as when he saved that pool tournament with sponsoring it.
Though a famous Bollywood actor and film producer in India, unbeknown to most, Khan won the salutations for his involvement in billiards and snooker.
The Champion of Champions tournament in India was a forerunner for other major competitions, including the 1991 World under-21 championship where the hugely gifted and current World No.1 Ronnie O'Sullivan won his first major international as a 16-year old. In fact, thanks to Feroz, the game enjoyed unprecedented popularity and following in India. The sport will surely miss him.
If there is one sponsor Indian green baize sport should remember, then it is Feroz whose timely support 20 years ago took the game to the next level.
If memory serves me right, it was in the late 1980s when one night, I was hobnobbing with the officials of the Karnataka State Billiards Association about an impending crisis. The KSBA had organised a major tournament inviting the cream of Indian snooker talent. The draw was made, the players had arrived and the tournament had attracted considerable media coverage.
With less than 12 hours to go for the start of the event, came the news that the sponsor had pulled out, leaving KSBA, desperately short of funds then, in a spot. Feroz was in our group and the then KSBA secretary BV Sachidananda Murthy (Sachu for short) looked at the Bollywood star in sheer desperation.
I vividly remember the conversation.
Feroz to Sachu: What's the problem? You look very hassled.
Sachu: Feroz, we are in deep trouble. Our sponsor has just now pulled out. The players are here and we don't have money!
Feroz: Ok. So how much do you need?
Sachu: About Rs 50,000, including Rs 40,000 for the prize-money.
Feroz (without hesitation): Is that it? No problem. I will put the money. Make sure the tournament is held as scheduled. I will have the money sent across in the morning. One request. Can you rename the tournament Champion of Champions?
The spontaneity with which Feroz made the offer floored us all. Those days, 50 Grand was a huge amount and with that one generous act, Feroz became a super hero in the billiards fraternity. He went a step further and hosted a grand dinner after the final. He walked up to all of us and thanked for the coverage we had provided.
From that day, Feroz was the first choice sponsor and he did back a few tournaments until work kept him away from the game. But he made it a point to visit the KSBA when in Bangalore and on occasions, knock the balls around at the table. He was an average player, but good enough to win a round or two. Indian billiards will sure miss him.
Source: http://sify.com/movies/fullstory.php?id=14883753 [Retrieved 27 April 2009]
The news has shocked the film and billiards industry in India, and many have expressed their grief at his sudden demise.
Here's a young Feroz pic as an actor. Wow, does he look like Louie Roberts or what!? This is probably taken about the same time as when he saved that pool tournament with sponsoring it.
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