Nile Pool Open is springboard for Africa meet

A stainless Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) management has consistently propelled the sport of pool to gain wide recognition in the country.
Nearly 15 years ago, the men’s national team - the Pool Cranes - struggled to find recognition beyond renowned player Bob Menani.

“At the time, pool was trying to settle in and we were not in the know,” recalls veteran Menani. Now retired and soaked in side business, Menani is back as national team coach.

In less than a fortnight, Pool Cranes will be pursuing their first continental title when Uganda hosts the All-Africa Blackball Pool Championships (AAPC) from November 1-6 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

If they write a script similar to the Rugby Cranes at the Africa 7s Cup, the entire story about pool could change in the country.

“This is a moment we have got to savour,” Menani said of the hosts’ chances upon being announced coach early last month.

“I have very good players, some of whom I have mentored. They just need a small push by the home crowd to get the Africa title after coming close in the past two years,” added the pioneer of pool here back in 1986.

Of the 15 players Menani summoned, 14 of those will take part in the Nile Special National Open finals that cue off in Lugogo on Saturday morning. The only exception is Charles Ssegawa who narrowly missed a ticket during the Open qualifiers at Labamba Bar in Nansana.

In simple terms, this year’s Open finale comes to serve as a springboard for Uganda ahead of the Africa meet. “The timing is right,” says PAU publicity official Micheal Mawanda.

“To most of the summoned players, the Open will be training ahead of the AAPC,” he says.

Since 2014, the Open gathers over 10,000 participants across the country and to emerge champion, it means one is nation’s crème de la crème.

Hence, all Menani’s disciples will have faced the biggest test from 128 players in Lugogo before the continental assignment.

“To do well in the Africa tournament, you need to first perform in the Open,” opines 2014 Open champion Fahad Ssewankambo, who is part of the team under Menani’s tutelage. “So I want to repeat what I did two years ago,” the national seed three said.

Ssewankambo may have failed to defend his title but he was the country’s best performer at AAPC in Lesotho last year with a bronze medal in the individual category.

While Ssewankambo failed, defending champion Amos Ndyagumanawe wants to become the first man to retain the Open title.

“Winning the Open again would give me perfect shape for the Africa meet,” the dread-locked star told this paper in a recent interview. “Many people say it is difficult but I can defend my title. Let Saturday (today) come and we meet in Lugogo,” the Kabale-bred star boasted.

He begins his quest for glory against 2009 winner Fred Namanya following a draw conducted on Tuesday.

Nyagumanawe’s 7-5 victory in last year’s best-of-13-final was sweet revenge having lost the 2012 final to familiar foe Alfred Gumikiriza.
At the time, Gumikiriza contemplated about quitting the sport. But he’s back to fight for second title. “I am going to give it one more try,” he said

Namanya and record champion Jonan Turigye are back in Lugogo having missed out last year. Both are part of Menani’s side, just like perennial contender Sula Matovu.

Matovu, a former Skin Samona teammate to Ndyagumanawe and Ssewankambo is ranked seed two and he is the only one among his peers yet to win the Open. “I have won every tournament apart from the Open. I have got to get answers to this,” he said.

Others like Pool Cranes skipper Oscar Ocakacon is accustomed to making the last 16 while Humphrey Nsubuga came fourth last year. Both would love to go better than that.

In all, one of Menani’s selected players is tipped to clinch this year’s Open with the best taking home a new Toyota Mark II car, Shs2m, two pool tables and a prestigious Black Jacket.

CAST OF WINNERS
2015 - Amos Ndyagumanawe
2014 - Fahad Ssewankambo
2013 - Jonan Turigye
2012 - Alfred Gumikiriza
2011 - Khalifan Ntwali
2010 - Jonan Turigye
2009 - Fred Namanya
2008 - Jonan Turigye
2002 - Bob Minan

NATIONAL MEN’S RANKINGS
1 - Amos Ndyagumawe
2 - Sula Matovu
3 - Fahad Ssewankambo
4 - Alfred Gumikiriza
5 - Humphrey Nsubuga
6 - Oscar Ocakacon
7 - Simon Lubulwa
8 - Joseph Kasozi