The Billiards and Snooker Federation of India hailed teenager Pankaj Advani's triumph in the World Snooker Championship as "terrific" and said the feat will encourage youngsters to take to the indoor sport in greater numbers.

"It's terrific and fantastic news. He has done all of us proud by winning the coveted title at such a raw age," BSFI president P N Roy said, shortly after the 19-year-old beat Pakistan's Saleh Mohammad 11-6 in the final at Jiangmen in China.

A visibly elated Roy said BSFI's move to send Advani for training in England last month paid rich dividend.

"We will surely give him a grand welcome on his return from China," he said.