Nayiga wants more after Zambia conquest
Nayiga, Zambia conquest
GEORGE KATONGOLE
Rukia Nayiga delivered one of her most crushing victories in pool beating seasoned queen Ritah Nimusiima to win the Esther Lungu East & Southern Africa Pool Championships in Zambia last week.
So emphatic was the win that fifth seed Nayiga won the final 9-1 to win a $2,750 (Shs10m) purse to be named among the best players of the tournament. Although this is a major boost to her credentials, action in Uganda will have to wait a little longer as the pool association labours to fulfill Covid-19 Standard Operating Procedures set by the Ministry of Health.
Beating Nimusiima, a lady everyone among the ladies calls their archrival makes Nayiga proud.
Nayiga, 21, arrived on the eve of the tournament after a four-day road trip as her Covid-19 results were delayed.
Due to fatigue during her second life match, she got ill and fainted which prompted the organisers to push the game to the next day while she was trailing 4-2.
She bounced back winning all remaining games to qualify 7-5. On the road to victory, she beat Africa’s Seed One Nicola Rosseau 9-5 in the semis before triumphing in a one-sided final 9-1 against Nimusiima.
“I am now going to work harder. I don’t know what is going to happen locally but I will take any opportunity,” Nayiga says.
Nayiga, who plays for Kampala Central, formerly CKI, was the league top scorer with 22 goals out of a possible 24, has been dominant topping the goals, aggregates, points and break-and-finish games.
“I enjoy battling and I am hopeful I will find more challenges to make me better,” she added.
Hours of work at her Kampala Central Pool Club have finally paid off.
“I have had huge support from everyone including coaches and teammates, leading up to the championship. I had confidence that I would win,” she adds.
In the team event, Uganda came out tops and took home the $3,300 (Shs12m) prize money.
According to the Pool Association of Uganda publicist Peter Kyobe, attention turns to the All Africa Pool Association tournament in South Africa in October. Discussions however continue on whether to host the tournament in Zambia who have offered an alternative.
POOL RESULTS
Esther Lungu East & Southern
Africa Pool Championships
Ladies singles:
Winner - Rukia Nayiga (Uganda),
Runner-up - Rita Nimusiima (Uganda),
Third place - Nicola Rosseau (S. Africa)
Men’s singles:
Winner - Aden Joseph (South Africa)
Runner-Up – Nkole (Zambia)
Best Team Manager:
Hanz Rugari (Uganda)
Gent’s Team Event:
Winner – Uganda,
Runner-Up - Zambia A,
Third Place - Zambia B
