2014 Africa Blackball Championships:
16th-19th October Ubungo Plaza, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Uganda national men’s Pool Cranes Team departed for the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam on Wednesday for the 2014 Africa Blackball championships that will take place at the Ubungo complex.
Kawowo Sports’ David Isabirye takes an in-depth look at the profile for each of the 8 men who have represented the Pearl of Africa nation.
1. Oscar Ocacakon (Captain): Leaders are born and never made. At first impression, the Ntinda based banker working with Barclays may be mistaken for a living saint. The current seed 8 player broke into the pool top seeded players after his impressive show at the 2013 National open championships where he was among the quarterfinalist.
He is composed while on the pool table and he was a worthy candidate for captaincy.
Profile: Parents: Born from the Ezaga family (Dad passed on)
Date of Birth: 30th September 1982
Nick Name: Double ‘O’
Current Club: Rock Catalina, Ntinda
Honours: Quarterfinalist National Pool Open (2013)
Best Shot: Spin Shot
2. Jonan ‘Joker’ Turigye: No question, Joker, as he is tagged by the pool fraternity is one of the most successful pool players in the history of the Uganda Pool records. Despite his temperamental conduct, Turigye has won an unprecedented 47 titles in his glittering carreer.
He has a hat trick of National open titles in 2008, 2010 and 2013 with many league and club knock out titles. His experience will be key for team Uganda.
Profile: Parents: Gen. John Herbertson Kalyalugokwe & Rev. Canon Monica Kalyalugokwe
Date of Birth: 28th August 1983
Current Club: Scrap Yard Pool Club
Other Clubs: Holiday Pool Club, DV8, Venga Mbale Pool Club, Skina Samona, Takers
Honours: League Winner (DV8,Skin Samona & Scrap Yard), Winner Clubs Knock out (Skin Samona), National Open Winner (2008, 2010 & 2013), Winner Easter Cup (2002, 2006, 2007 & 2008), Winner Christmas Cup (2006, 2007 & 2008)
Best Shot: Drag Shot
3. Alfred ‘Black Sheep’ Gumikiriza:
Like Joker, Gumikiriza is another player on the team with a wide wealth of experience. Black sheep as he is fondly called is a situational player–always willing to adjust to the game plan of the opponent.
He is one of the most offensive minded players in the country who has won a lot of accolades including the national open championships in 2012, 5 league crowns with Skin Samona pool club and 4 club knock outs among many other personal and team gongs.
Profile: Nick Name: Black Sheep
Parents: Vicent Bizeeza & Eudio Ninobusingye
Date of Birth: 25th May 1986
Place of Birth: Mulago Hospital
Current Club: Skin Samona
Other Clubs: Mambule Pool Club
Honours: Winner National Pool Championship (2012), League Winner with Skin Samona (2007, 2019, 2010, 2011, 2012), Winner Clubs Knock outs with Skin Samona (4 Times), Super Cup Winner with Skin Samona (2013)
Best Shot: Draw Back
4. Amos Ndyagumanawe:
The pool fraternity tags him ‘real shooter’ for his target of the balls. Ndyagumanawe is flawless on the pool table. Christened ‘Mr Christmas’ having won the Christmas cup since 2011. His attack minded game plan will be crucial to team Uganda.
Profile: Parents: Esau & Grace Tumusiime
Nick Name: Real Shooter
Date of Birth: 21st September 1994
Current Club: Skin Samona
Honours: Winner Christmas Cup (2011, 2012 & 2013), Winner Easter Cup (2014), Master of the Table Winner (2014), League Winner with Skin Samona (2009, 2010 & 2012)
Best Shot: Spinning Shot
5. Fahad Ssewankambo:
Since breaking into the scene in 2011 as the Pool Association of Uganda (PAU), Ssewankambo’s game has been on a gradual pattern. He is the reigning national champion and the USPA pool player of the year, 2013.
Another composed player once on the pool table with explicit attacking instincts.
Profile: Parents: Salim Ssewankambo & Zamu Nangonzi
Place of Birth: Kinaawa, Kyengera
Date of Birth: 20th June 1995
Current Club: Skina Samona
Previous Club: Kibanga Pool Club.
