Premier Pub, Kansanga pool qualifiers:
Overall winner: Ivan Kanyesigye
Runners up: Joseph Kasozi
2nd Runners up: Robert Nshekanabo
Ivan Kanyesigye is a 20 year old deaf pool player whose skills and passion for the game are unquestionable.
He has on 3 different occasions participated in the Nile Special national pool qualifiers but all has been in vain
On the 4th attempt, he eventually made it at the Premier pub in Kasanga, a Kampala City Suburb.
Despite being unable to speak nor hear, he is one of the finest pool players in the country at the moment and won the pool national league with Scrap Yard pool club, found in Kisenyi, another suburb.
“I had the hopes that my boy will make it”, Tumwesigye, manager at Capital Pub in Kabalagala said of him.
Kanyesigye was all smiles as he rushed from the Premier pub, Kansanga to the nearby Capital Pub in Kabalagala where another set of Makindye region qualifiers were taking place.
Smiling boldly for the cameras, Kanyesigye who was now too excited could not contain the excitement of the moment.
At one time, he flashed his winners’ cash prize (Ug.shs 150,000) and the gold medal as he made several signs communicating the joy unlimited.
“His qualification is surely long overdue. He plays decent pool and he is highly rated”, Michael Mawanda, the Pool body’s publicist says.
Nile Special Brand manager, Timothy Kayondo who was present at the venue was left mesmerized by the the joy of Kanyesigye.
“This is the true beauty of the sport and Nile Special. No one is discriminated and at the end of the day, we are all champions courtesy of Nile Special”, Kayondo said.
He will be joined by 127 other pool players at the national finals come September 2014 at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
The overall winner will drive home a brand new Toyota Brevis, pocket Ug.shs 2M cash prize and a pool table.