Tasting success at home
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Hussain Z. Cochinwala loves to do two things — play snooker and serve food — the first being a passion and the latter he regards as an opportunity to be with his family.
The 20-year-old, while not taking part in competitions, is keen to offer a helping hand to his father Zoyed and brother Hatim in their hotel business in Thoppumpady in Kochi.
He is now the second ranked junior snooker player in Kerala, who has represented the State at various national competitions.
It was four years ago that Hussain developed a liking for the sport during his school days in Mumbai. However, it was only after returning to Kochi that he got a chance to be closer to the sport as well as his family.
“After my schooling, I came back to my family in Kochi and that also gave me the opportunity to go to the indoor stadium and play snooker.
I became interested in the game and loved being near my family, who were very supportive,” said Hussain, who went to Chennai to get a better feel of the game and was trained by former player Style Vijay of the Tamil Nadu Billiards Association.
Hussain has also played in main draw pool championship in Delhi and in the Western India Open Junior Snooker Tournament, conducted by Yasin Merchant in Mumbai.
The boy, who considers world champion Pankaj Advani his icon, has fond memories of playing against him during a junior open in Mumbai and one can see his smiling picture with Advani, hanging on a wall in his hotel.
“That was a dream come true for me, I got an opportunity to play and take a picture with him. He is my inspiration in the game,” Hussain said.
Hussain has been the state number two for two consecutive years but could not take part in the competition last year as he had accompanied his father on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
“Now I’m with my family, helping them whenever I’m free and also finding time to play. It keeps me a lot happier. I’m planning to study hotel management, but I’ll continue snooker,” he added.
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