Former World billiards champion Manoj Kothari passes away

Former World billiards champion and Indian cue sports chief coach Manoj Kothari passed away on Monday, according to his family sources. Kothari was 67 and is survived by his wife and son Sourav, also a two-time World billiards champion. He was not keeping well and was being treated in Tamil Nadu.

“He passed away following a cardiac arrest in the morning,” Sourav, also a World billiards champion in 2018 and 2025, told The Hindu.

“I lost everything. He was my hero,” he added.

Kothari, who won the World billiards title in 1990 and the World doubles billiards championships in 1997 before being conferred the prestigious Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievement in 2005, had been serving as India’s cue sports chief coach for about a decade-and-a-half.

“Manoj Kothari was an efficient administrator and a fantastic coach. More than that, he was an amazing human being. We went a long way back and shared a great relationship. Since he was appointed National coach, we travelled together on many international trips. He was always helpful, kind and passionate in bringing out the best in all top players. My heartfelt condolences to the Kotharis. May his soul rest in peace,” said the 28-time World championships gold medallist cueist Pankaj Advani.

“We lost a legend,” said former World champion and Asian Games gold medallist Ashok Shandilya.

“I have many fond memories with him. He was always a guiding light for youngsters. I won the 2009 Asian Indoor (team) gold (with Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta) and 2010 Asian Games team silver in his presence. His contribution as a coach is much bigger,” said snooker player Brijesh Damani.