Pool: Bukenya vows to rip up the form book

Oct 23, 2015

Veteran Uthman Bukenya has vowed that he has matured enough to tame the strong field in the Nile Special grand finale which gets underway at Lugogo Saturday.

By Samson Opus

Nile Special Pool
Grand Final

Saturday
Venue: Lugogo
Ordinary ticket: sh15,000
VIP ticket: sh30,000

Veteran Uthman Bukenya has vowed that he has matured enough to tame the strong field in the Nile Special grand finale which gets underway at Lugogo Saturday.

“I have already been offered free parking space for the car by my fans in Bunamwaya,” he said of the top prize of a Toyota Mark II Grande that is at stake for the winner.

As a top ranked player before, Bukenya was a regular contender in the event for the past five years. Having fallen out of the top order, Bukenya fought his way this year through the qualifiers which he believes gives him more firepower to strike.

“I am confident that this time is my turn. I feel good because I have been playing 100 games daily,” he said.

The Skin Samona Pool Club captain is among the top guns who will be up against a new crop of players in the coveted annual event.

With the top prize of a new car, sh2m and a pool table at stake courtesy of sponsors Nile Breweries, a stiff contest is expected.

With the young crop of players like Simon ‘Computer’ Lubulwa and Salim Akankwasa dictating the proceedings in the Kampala Open last weekend, this year’s Nile Special grand final promises to be a thrilling affair.

“Those young men cannot sustain the intensity of this game. My only worry is (top seed) Alfred Gumikiriza,” Bukenya added.

Ssewankambo in the battle

Defending champion and seed two Fahad Ssewankambo will be among the stars that will be under attack from the new generation of players in the oneday event.

The top eight national seeds who will be taking on a field of 120 qualifiers include Gumikiriza, Ssewankambo, Ezra Kaggwa, Sula Matovu, Fred Namanya, Ivan Kanyesigye, Navy Matovu and Amos Ndyagumanawe.

The annual tournament involves the top cream of players from 10,020 participants from the 320 playing centres in the preliminary round qualifiers which started last July.

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