8th Nile Special National Pool Championships:
6th Sept 2014.
Lugogo Indoor Arena
The long wait is no more. There are just hours to the kick off of the 2014 national open pool championship at the MTN Indoor arena.
120 players who qualified countrywide will be joined by the 8 top seeds as they take to the playing table as early as 8 am.
At stake is a brand new Toyota Brevis for the successful winner, U.shs 2M and a top table. The top 16 players will walk away with cash prizes of different proportions, all courtesy of the sponsors – Nile Breweries under the brand Nile Special.
Life changing Event:
“The championship is a life changing event. No body wins it and remains the same”, stresses PAU president, Farouk Kisuze Wamala.
Opening fixtures:
Defending champion, Jonah ‘Joker’ Turigye opens up his title defence against Juilus Bogere, Alfred ‘Black Sheep’ Gumikiriza starts against David Akankwasa before Sheep’s Samona clubmate, Sula Matovu eyes Charles Kalemera.
2013 runners up, Joseph Mutawe will be opening the race against Erius Makumbi while Other matches will be; Wasswa Kayiiya Vs Muhammed Luttu, Saul Mugerwa Vs Moses Waiswa, Oscar Ocacakon Vs Michael Mwambu, Salongo Asuman Bukenya Vs Joram Nabasa, Kenneth Ariho Vs Idd Walusimbi, Ivan Kanyesigye Vs Joseph Sserwanja, Silas Wasswa Vs Walter Mugisha, Willy Lukenge Vs Richard Muhumuza and Samuel Oiko Vs Poulas Bisaso, among others.
According to a tentative programme by the tournament director, Robert ‘Pipo’ Kayanja, all up country finalists are expected to report to Kampala by Friday and will converge at Lumas Pub along Namirembe Road where they will be picked and taken to the Hotel for a Briefing from PAU Executives.
After the briefing they will be served with supper and given their Equipments like Ques, gloves and uniforms.
All players are expected to be at the Arena at 7am for photos and warm-up session.
This is pool Association of Uganda (PAU) Biggest Event and the Championships of this year increased the Number of participants from 3000 to 10240 participants after reaching 320 outlets these years.
Johnan Turigye nicknamed ‘Joker’ will be aiming to defend his title though his form according to his participation in the Master of The table was Bad.
Seed 7 Amos Ndyagumawe is among the favorites of this year’s event after winning the last 3 individual events.
2012 champions Alfred Gumisiriza is also one of the players to watch with his good form he has shown in the last events.
This years’ finals will miss veteran players and usual suspects Adam Sebbi, Charles Segawa and Ocitti Emmanuel (got an accident on Gulu – Kampala Highway).
Not forgetting Simon Peter ‘Computer’ Lubulwa (knocked out by Mp Odonga Otto at Rock Catalina in qualifiers).
Last year’s Quarter finalist Artman Kabubi and talented Ronald duo of Kizito and Ronnie Kalungi will also miss the tournament.
Their absence from the national finals however will not be dearly missed as with new emerging and amazing talents like Joseph Kasozi, Entebbe’s Willy Lukenge, deaf pool player, Ivan Kanyesigye, Godfrey Settimba and Skin Samona’s Sekiriba Musa who are expected to be good challenges to the Top Seeds.
Professionals in the race:
Professionals have not been left out either. Medical doctor, Joseph Epodol from Soroti will be participating while Wasswa Silas Peace who is a lawyer will also be in the race.
Entertainment:
The winner of this years’ championship will also be facilitated in al international Events. Entertainment by Cindy and Kalifah Aganaga will also be part of the big event on Saturday at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
“It has been 3 months since we started this championship and Thanks to God for allowing us Finishing the Qualifiers and I pray that Saturday also be a success” said Mawanda Michael PAU publicist.
“We have witnessed a lot of new talents during the qualifiers and I believe the best man is going to win. I also thank. Our sponsors Nile Breweries through their Brand Nile Special for helping us in Developing our sports making us a big brand in sports disciplines” added Mawanda.
Catch there.
PAST WINNERS
2001 – Bob Menani
2008 – Turigye Janan
2009 – Fred Namanya
2010 – Jonan ‘Jokers’ Turigye
2011 – Khalifan Ntwali
2012 – Alfred ‘Black Sheep’ Gumikiriza
2013 – Jonan ‘Jokers’ Turygye
2014 – ??
