2014 Africa Blackball Championships:
16th – 19th October
Dar es Salaam
The Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) technical team has named the national men’s and ladies’ squads to represent Uganda in the 2014 AAPA Africa Blackball Championships and the world pool black ball championships later this month.
The tournament is scheduled for 16th – 19th of October 2014 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The same teams shall also represent Uganda in the 2014 WPA World Blackball Championships scheduled for 25th – 31st October 2014 in Perth, Scotland.
Uganda together with South Africa and Libya are the only countries that shall represent the African Continent at the World Championships.
“We have been very careful in our team selection largely focusing on current form and experience. The men and women that have been selected to represent Uganda are mentally, emotionally and physically ready to bring glory to Uganda”, Head Coach, Eddy Nkoyoyo, said.
The men’s team will be skippered by Rock Catalina Pool Club Chairman and PAU Seed 8, Oscar Ocakacon while Indigo’s Zaimati Nabafu will captain the ladies side.
The men’s side will be tap into the prowess of the 2014 National Pool Open Champion Fahad Ssewankambo and the 2014 Master of the Table Champion Amos Ndyagumanawe.
The other players on the men’s side include seed 2 Joseph Mutawe, seed 3 Alfred Gumikiriza, seed 4 Salongo Uthman Bukenya, Seed 5 Jonan Turigye, and Seed 6 Sula Matovu.
Ladies:
The ladies team shall capitalize on the form and experience of the 2014 PAU Queen Victoria Namuyanja and the 2014 Master of the Table Champion Jacinta Kajubi.
Other members on the ladies team include Seed 3 Ritah Nimusiima, Seed 5 Carolina Kyampaire Kanzira, Seed 6 Sharon Mirembe, Seed 7 Shamim Nalugwa, and Seed 8 Rehemah Nanyondo.
According to David Benjamin Mugabi, the National Team Manager in charge of operations, the schedule is very tight.
“We only have a span of four days between the All Africa Games and the World Championships. There will be no resting for team”, said Mugabi.
On his part, the PAU Chairman who will also head the Ugandan Contingent to the two events said his executive has done all within its means to prepare the team but needed more financial support to meet the costs involved.
“We have been promised to get government funding by Hon. Charles Bakkabulindi the Minister of State for Sports early next week. We, however, call upon our partners, friends and the corporate community to support us”, said Kisuze.
The teams shall be doing final training drills at Lumas Old Kampala every day at 5.00pm until their departure for Dar es Salaam on Wednesday 15th October 2014 next week.
The teams:
Men:
Oscar Ocacakon (Captain), Fahad Ssewankambo, Amos Ndyagumanawe, Joseph Mutawe, Alfred Gumikiriza, Salongo Uthman Bukenya, Jonan Turigye, and Sula Matovu.
Women:
Zaimati Nabafu (Captain), Victoria Namuyanja, Jacinta Kajubi, Ritah Nimusiima, Carolina Kyampaire Kanzira, Sharon Mirembe, Shamim Nalugwa, and Rehemah Nanyondo.