Easter Monday, 1st April
Easter Pool Championship (Capital Pub, Kabalagala)
Eckhart Tolle in his book, ‘Education and Philosophy’ is quoted “The Past has no power over the present moment”. To Yves Kaneza, the 2012 Easter Pool Champion, he is more than eager to use this year’s Easter Tourney as a plat form to disprove Tolle and many other critics as he plays to reclaim victory at the Kabalagala based Capital Pub.
“I will strive to put up the best show as I defend my trophy. I know there are challenges, but I will work hard”, a smiling Yves said.
But to achieve the feat, Yves will have to play against the cream-de-le cream for the calendar year past. In Sula Matovu (Kampala open winner), Amos Turyagumanawe (Christmas Champion) and Alfred Gumisiriza a.k.a Black Sheep (National Open Champion), and quite a number of underground guns, Yves will need to seek for divine intervention to reclaim his title.
Interestingly, enroute to his success last year, Yves beat Matovu (quaters), Turyagumanawe (Semis) and Gumisiriza in the finals, something to which he brags; “To be the best, you have to overcome the best”.
Robert Kayanja, the tournament secretary says he expects a bigger and competitive turn up compared to last year’s 128 men and 32 ladies because of the hefty cash prizes at stake.
“The top 3 respective men winners will pocket 500,000/=, 250,000/= and 125,000/= while the ladies will fight for the 300,000/=, 150,000/= and 75,000/=. Such prizes on additional to glittering trophies will definitely add to the already boiling competition”, he adds.
Last year’s female winner was Vicky Namayanja, the 2012 Pool Association player of the year. Vicky defeated Shamimu Nalugwa in a tensely contested final.
Action for the over 200 pool players who have confirmed participation for this annual event, the first on the 2013 Pool Association Calendar, will kick off at 10 a.m.