Champions face fierce competition at National Pool Open finale
This year’s grand finale promises high stakes, with two Subaru Imprezas, four pool tables, and over sh20 million in cash prizes up for grabs.
Pool players and officials pose for a photo on the two Subaru cars to be won at the National Open Championship. PHOTO: Johnson Were
Event: Nile Special National Pool Open
Date: Sunday December 21
Venue: Lugogo Arena
Mansoor Bwaniika will face off against 2015 Champion Amos Ndyagumanawe in the Nile Special National Open grand finale first round set for Sunday at the Lugogo Arena.
Two Subaru Impreza's, four pool tables and over sh20m in cash prizes are up for grabs making this one of the most mouthwatering grand finales on paper.
Bwaniika and Marion Kisakye were the two brightest spots in 2024 but the competition is expected to be bigger this year. They will be under all sorts of pressure to add to their fleet of cars in Lugogo but the competition is going to be big altogether.
“This year the two winners will each receive a Subaru Impreza. The men’s winners will also receive sh5m while the Ladies winner will receive sh3m and a pool table for the top two,” stated Pool Association of Uganda Publicity Secretary George Katongole.
PAU and Nile Special will be awarding up to 16 places so making it to that round of 16 in the competition is important.
While the challenge is going to be strong from the top seeds like number one Joseph Kasozi, the challenge from former champions like Ndyagumanawe, Mansoor, Alfred “Black Sheep’ Gumisiriza, Jonan ‘Joker’ Turigye and Ceasar Chandiga.
Chandiga is on form and could take back the title he last won in 2023 but he will have to hurdle the challenge that is Asuman Sozi. There is also a group of exciting young players like Ian Kazibwe, Glorious Ssenyonjo, Ibrahim Kayanja and Rwotokonya Joseph. The Pool Association of Uganda is big on fairness.
“This is a timed event. The first round is a race to five in 55 minutes. Last year there was an improvement time keeping. The competitions committee brought a timing rule that will allow players to play faster in the last 15 minutes.”
Last year Mansoor ran down the clock by refusing to take shots and was just running down the clock once he got into a lead.
This move should create some excitement and fans should look out for penalties as a tie breaker for the individuals who end up drawing after the clock runs out.
Fans will pay sh25,000 and will receive two beers while VIPs will pay sh50,000.