Former world billiards champion and Indian Cue Sports head coach Manoj Kothari died on Monday, according to his family sources. Kothari was 67 and is survived by his wife and son Sourav, who is also a two-time world billiards champion.

He was not well and was undergoing treatment in Tamil Nadu. “He died of a heart attack in the morning,” Sourav, the 2018 and 2025 world billiards champion, told The Hindu. He said, “I lost everything.

He was my hero. ” Kothari, who won the World Billiards title in 1990 and the World Doubles Billiards Championship in 1997 before being honored with the prestigious Dhyanchand Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2005, had served as India’s cue sports head coach for almost a decade and a half. “Manoj Kothari was an efficient administrator and a brilliant coach.

More than that, he was a wonderful human being. We go way back and shared a great relationship.

Ever since he was appointed national coach, we traveled together on many international tours. He was always helpful, kind and passionate in bringing out the best in all the top players. My heartfelt condolences to the Kothari family.

May his soul rest in peace,” said 28-time World Championships gold medalist cueist Pankaj Advani. Former world champion and Asian Games gold medalist Ashok Shandilya said, “We lost a legend.

” Snooker player Brijesh Damani said, “I have many good memories with him. He was always a mentor to the youngsters.

I won the 2009 Asian Indoor (team) gold (with Pankaj Advani and Aditya Mehta) and the 2010 Asian Games team silver medal in his presence. His contribution as a coach is huge. “.