Pool star Gumikiriza bags sh2m

By Michael Nsubuga

Alfred Gumikiriza beat Amos Ndyagumanawe 6-4 in the final to win the 2012 Nile Special National Open Pool Championship at Lugogo on Saturday.

The 26-year old Mambule Pool Club (Kalerwe) player walked away with sh2m and two pool tables.

Ndyagumanawe got sh1m while the semi finalists got sh750,000 each

Seed five Gumikiriza showed his intentions soon after winning the toss. He took the first frame in the best of eleven finals.

But Ndyagumanawe, the number 4 seed and playing with a lot of composure, came back strongly and took the next two frames to stretch the lead to 2-1.

From then on, it was a seesaw battle with each player pulling off brilliant shots.

Gumikiriza won the 4th and 5th frames before Ndyagumanawe pulled one back.

The former then won the 7th, 8th and decisive 10th frame to emerge champion.

The finalists and other players were cheered by by several fans who did a lap of honour for them.

The finalists were the only seeded players who made it to the finals.

Other seeded players with the exception of the 2011 champion Khalifan Ntwali, who did not take part in the event, were eliminated as early as the second round.

Top seed Sula Matovu fell to Isaac Lwanga who finished fourth while seed 3 Adam Sebbi was beaten by Peter Ssendegeya.

Brian Kiviiri who finished third swept aside seed 6 Cranimer Kibirige while seed 7 Asuman Bukenya and seed 8 Charles Segawa lost to the more solid Moses Arinaitwe and Michael Arinaitwe respectively.