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Hurt at missing out on Padma Bhushan award for the second year in a row, 16-time world champion cueist Pankaj Advani said he does not know what he needs to do more to receive the coveted civilian honour.
Advani, who has pocketed eight world titles in the last eight years, was recommended for the third highest civilian award of the country by the Karnataka government as well as the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India (BSFI).
The Bengaluru-based Advani, one of India's greatest cueists, did not say much after being overlooked for the award yet again, but expressed his feelings on social media.
No sportsperson was chosen for Padma Bhushan this year while eight athletes from various disciplines, including Virat Kohli and Dipa Karmakar, were honoured with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour which Advani received way back in 2009.
Advani has also been awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2006), India's highest sporting honour.
BSFI secretary S Balasubramaniam could not think of any current sportsperson more deserving than Advani for the Padma Bhushan.
Advani's brother Shree too did not hide his disappointment.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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