Nile Special Pool Qualifiers (Malala Heritage Gardens, Kawempe)
Finals: Edward Kamoga 4-3 Herbert Ndugga (Finals)
Quarterfinals: Ismail Nsimbe 0-3 Edward Kamoga (Kamoga walks over Ismail who refused to play because he refused to put on Nile Special T-Shirt)
Personal beliefs be it religious or otherwise ought to be given special respect, but in the name of sports, rules and regulations governing that particular event matter a lot.
When Ismail Nsimbe, a staunch Muslim by religion, registered to participate in the 2013 Nile Special pool qualifiers, little did he know about the tournament rules and regulations.
Ismail opted to pull out of the event during the quarterfinal stage when he refused to oblige to the tournament rule of putting on a Nile Special T-Shirt and Cap, attires worn by every quarter finalist, but defied the order citing religious reasons barring him from advertising alcoholic drinks.
He thus lost the game to Edward Kamoga, the eventual winner at the Malala Heritage Gardens in Kawempe. But Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) official, Michael Mawanda expressed concern and severely warned the player about the ‘gross indiscipline and lack of respect for the sponsor’.
“Each participating player in the Nile Special Pool event buys two Nile Special Beers to be eligible to participate in the Nile Special Pool Championships, and wears the official T-Shirt at the quarter final stage. Refusal to wear the Sponsors attire is indiscipline and is tantamount to automatic disqualification”, said the PAU publicity secretary, Michael Mawanda.
Ismail, who sounded defiant by his decision was firm and decided to sacrifice his slot to Edward Kamoga, who went on to win the semifinals and finals against Mark Nsubuga and Herbert Ndugga by 3-2 and 4-3 respectively.
The two finalists, Edward Kamoga and Herbert Ndugga qualified to play in the prestigious Nile Special Grand finale set for 31st August 2013 at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium. The duo qualified from the Kawempe region and will be part of the 128 pool players across the country to play in the finals, where Toyota Progress, Ug.shs 2M and a 2 pool tables are up for grabs for the winner courtesy of the Beer brewing giants, Nile Breweries, under the brand Nile Special Lager.
The 128 finalists are set to be seeded on 19th August 2013 at Emerald Hotel, near Bati Valley along Bombo Road.
Kawempe Region Qualifiers:
Malala Heritage Gardens: Edward Kamoga 4-3 Herbert Ndugga
Wobulenzi: Boy Benjamin 4-2 Louis Mpora
Kayunga : Patrick Ssekirime 4-3 Jonah Turigye
DB9 Kanyanya : Grace Akoyo 3-2 Gabriel Kabuzi.
Eden Service Bwaise : Sharifik Kayongo 4-2 Andrew Kayira
Other Religious Belief Reports Towards Sports:
– In 2007, in Montreal, Canada, an 11 year old girl was excluded from a Junior Soccer game by a referee because she would not take off her Hijab.
The young athlete’s team, as well as a few other teams around Quebec and Ontario decided to leave the tournament as sign of protestation. The referee, himself Muslim, claimed that he based his judgement and decision on a FIFA’s rule. The President of the Islamic Canadian Congress expressed his disagreement with the decision, stating that her Hijab was no harm to anyone. . “Muslim women wear the Hijab while playing Basketball, soccer, and even at the Olympic Games”, which is true.
– Ruqayya, a young teenager living in America, wears the hijab and plays basketball. She sees nothing wrong with doing athletic activities outside if one observes hijab.
– Kulsoom Abdullah, 37, is an American weightlifter well-known for her successful campaign against the hijab ban in her sport. She feels that dress codes should not be forced on anyone. ‘I don’t think women should be forced to dress a certain way; I don’t want women to not have the chance to experience competition and the fun of sports.’
– Stephanie, an American and 21, is into rock climbing. Sarah, 23 and from the UK, enjoys the crazy sport of roller-derby. Thirty-six-year-old Rania from Indonesia swims and cycles. All take advantage of the fresh outdoor air to do their sports, and they do it in hijab.
– Mumtaz, who is 35 and lives in Botswana, has a slightly different view. While she is active in sport, she takes extra care to do it in an all-ladies group or with her husband. She also cycles outdoors in modest attire. But she feels unsure about women competing in stadiums in front of mixed-gender crowds. As she points out, ‘I don’t think this is the intention of women in sport (in Islam).’
The World’s Football ruling body, FIFA, in a Rulebook published the statement below in this next paragraph warning players against disclosing religious , political and personal:
“Players must not reveal undergarments showing slogans or advertising.The basic compulsory equipment must not have any political, religious or personal statements.A player removing his jersey or shirt to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organizer. The team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment has political, religious or personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organizer or by FIFA.”
What is your take on the above discussed subject?
