Finals (Best of 11): Joseph Mutawe 2-6 Johan Turigye
Third Place Match: Fahad Ssewankambo 4-1 Emma Ocitti
Former National Pool Champion, Jonah ‘Joker’ Turigye is the 2013 Nile Special Open Pool Champion. He beat Joseph Mutawe by 6 -2 at thrilling final played before a fully packed house at the MTN Lugogo Indoor Stadium in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
The close to one hour long final was between Joseph Mutawe (Perfection Pool Club) and Johan Turigye (Takers Pool Club). It was handed by veteran umpires Gabriel Kabuzzi and Bob Trubish.
“I have come from far. I planned for each game as it came”, remarked the winner who qualified from Kayunga District. He Cut Tony Blair 3 straight in his very first game, over came Joram Nabasa in the round of 32, beating a hard fighting Grace Akoyo in the last 16 before facing Edward Kamoga in the quaterfinals (4-2) and Skin Samona’s Fahad Ssewankambo in the semis, who he beat 5-2.
Lots of surprises marred this year’s edition as many top seeds of the game were sent crushing in the tourney’s opening stages., Yves Kaneza, Ronnie Kalungi,Charles Ssegawa and Ssalongo Asuman Bukenya all lost out in the first round. 2012 beaten finalist, Amos Nyagumanawe lost in the round of 32 to Gulu’s Emma Occitti while Sula Matovu lost to Art man Kabubi in the round of 16 in a tense round of 16 match.
The biggest shock happened at the quarterfinal stage as the 2013 Easter Champion, Fahad Ssewankambo edged out the defending champion, Alfred Gumisiriza. The 19 year old Nateete Muslim student held on his nerves coming from 2 games down to win 4-3, but lost out in the semifinals to Joseph Mutawe 5-2.
“The game of Pool is a life changing event”, Farouk Kisuze, the Pool President in Uganda said in his brief speech shortly before the final in reference to the hefty prize money for the top 16 players, the car for the winning top player and the two pool tables for the finalists.
The Chief Guest, the National Council of Sports General Secretary, Jasper Aligawesa congratulated the participants and winners but commended Nile Breweries under the brand Nile Special for the kind gesture towards promotion of sports in the country.
“Nile Special is special, supporting sports is a special trend and please keep up the spirit”, Aligawesa said, having earlier in the day witnessed a Nile Special sponsored Rugby match between two of Uganda’s elite clubs, MTN Heathens and Dmark Kobs that the former won 17-7 at Kyadondo Rugby grounds.
Former Pool Champions Bob Minan (2001), Fred Namanya (2009), Johan Turigye (2008 and 2010), Alfred Gumisiriza (2013) were all rewarded the black jackets, a special reward for the national champions.
2011 champion, Ntwali Khafani was however not awarded the jacket.
128 finalists of the cream de la cream for the Pool game in the whole nation played in the tourney whose qualification traversed the whole country in 3 months.
The 5 ladies who had qualified for the championships were all bundled out after one round save for the reigning Pool Queen, Carol Kanzira, who only managed one win Chrish Mayengo, but she lost out in the round of 32 to Joseph Tumusiime.
There is a planned arrangement for the ladies to have a separate own arrangement in the next edition from the men.
The mammoth record crowd was kept entertained all day long by the lively Mc, Paul ‘Pipo’ Kayanja who was later joined by Comedian, Afande Kelele. Musicians Gravity Omutujju and Grace Nakimera played, much to the delight of the fans.
The event was exclusively organized by Pool Association of Uganda and proudly sponsored by Nile Breweries Limited, under the brand, Nile Special Lager at tune of over Ug shs.134 Million for only 2013 having signed a Ug Shs 1.71 billion 3 year sponsorship in May 2013.
Round of 16 Games (Best of 7):
Alfred Gumikiriza 4-0 John Kasuku, Fahad Ssewankambo 4-1 Adam Ssebi ,Allan Nsubuga 1-4 Edward Kamoga, Jonan Turigye 4-1 Jackson Ssenkindu, Sula Matovu 3-4 Artman Kabubi, Joseph Mutawe 4-1 Isaac Lwanga , Ocitti Emma P’Atingo 4-0 Richard Kizito , Siraje Kasirye 2-4 Saul Mugerwa.
Quarter-finals (Best of 7):
Alfred Gumikiriza 3-2 Fahad Ssewankambo, Edward Kamoga 2-4 Jonan Turigye -Table 4, Artman Kabubi 3-4 Joseph Mutawe, Ocitti Emma P’Atingo 4-2 Saul Mugerwa
Semi-finals (Best of 9):
Fahad Ssewankambo 2-5 Johan Turigye, Joseph Mutawe 5-3 Emma Ocitti
Third Place Play off (Best of 7):
Fahad Ssewankambo 4-1 Emma Ocitti
Finals (Best of 11):
Johan Turigye 6-2 Joseph Mutawe
All The Nile Special Open Pool Winners:
2002: Bob Menani
2004: Jeff Miiro
2008: Jonan Turigye
2009: Fred Namanya
2010: Jonan Turigye
2011: Ntwari Khalifan
2012: Alfred Gumusiriza
2013: Johan Turigye
THE FULL NILE SPECIAL OPEN PRIZES
1ST- Toyota progress, 2million, one pool table and winner’s Black jacket
2ND- 1.5M PLUS POOL TABLE
3RD- 1M
4th- 750,000
5th- 9th- 500,000
10-16th- 250,000
