All Africa Pool Championship logo launched

Preparations for the All Africa Pool Association (AAPA) Blackball Championship due in Kampala have reached a new level with the launch of the event logo.

State minister for sports Charles Bakkabulindi who officially unveiled the logo alongside National Council of Sports (NCS) secretary Nicholas Muramagi promised to support the event due November 1-5.

"I would like to congratulate PAU for bringing this event to Uganda. This event will help us to promote our talent as well as market our country" Said Bakkabulindi who called on corporate companies to support the event.

According to Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) president Farouk Kisuze, a record number of 16 teams are expected for the event.

Teams that have so far confirmed entry include defending champions South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Ghana and Egypt.

According to Kisuze the association needs $160,000 (about sh530m) to host the event. Much of the funding will go towards hotel accommodation and transporting the visiting teams during the weeklong event, he explained.

Nile Breweries is so far the only company that has promised to facilitate the event, Kisuze said.

"I must confess that raising the requisite funding is an uphill task. I call upon other sponsors to support us as we strive to deliver a good sporting experience," Kisuze said.

"Being at home, we expect the very best from our team. With good facilitation we need our team to have two months of residential training," he added.

Uganda bagged silver after finishing second to South Africa in Lesotho last year.

Uganda won a bid to host the event during the Africa Championship in Dar es Salaam in 2014.