2014 National Pool Championships:
3rd May – Early August (Qualifiers)
30th August -Grand Finals
Nile Breweries Limited under the Nile Special brand beer have increased the national open pool sponsorship from last year’s Ug.shs 570M to a whooping Ushs 1.1 billion.
The revelation was made at Rock Gardens on Thursday morning during a special press briefing set to officially launch the event, the biggest on the Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) calendar in Uganda.
Increment in playing centers:
In a bid to accommodate the swelling number of pool players countrywide, pool playing centers have been increased from last year’s 64 to 300. This implies the number of players has tripped from 1500 last year to 3000.
“We felt it worthwhile to increase the center due to the ever escalating number of pool players in Uganda”, Paul ‘Pipo’ Kayanja revealed.
Timothy Kayondo, the Nile Special brand manager praised the level of professionalism by the pool body and urged more and more players to take on the game of champions.
“As a champion brand, Nile Special has surpassed last year’s sponsorship because we feel honored to associate with Champions. We shall give branded pool tables to every playing center as the game moves on”, Kayondo said.
Regional Cash Prizes increased:
Last year, each regional champion received Ushs 100,000. This time round, the regional winner will get Ushs 150,000. The 1st runners up and 2nd runners up at the regional level will pocket Ushs 100,000 and Ushs 50,000 each respectively.
Top Seeds to pay:
In a changed system, the 8 seeded top pool players in the country will each be paying Ug.shs 100,000 to participate in this year’s national championships.
Previously, the top seeds have been all playing free of charge at the national championships.
“This is an appearance fee. Since they do not play the qualifiers, the PAU executive felt it worthwhile to levy them and this will act to motivate many to fight for being seeded”, Farouk Wamala Kisuze, the PAU President explained.
Champion for World Pool Championships:
Last year’s champion, Jonah ‘Joker’ Turigye has been officially confirmed he will be representing Uganda at the World Pool Association Championship due in Scotland come later this year in October.
“Every year starting 2014, Nile Special will be sponsoring the national open winner to an international event”, Kayondo.
Outlet qualifiers will start as early as 3rd May and will run till August 9th when the regional qualifiers will be held.
The grand finals will be held on 30th August 2014 at Lugogo with the overall winner driving home a brand new Toyota Brevis, pocketing Ushs 2M and a pool table.
The top 16 finishers will also take different proportions of cash rewards.
Let the cues be readied.
