World pool champion Senzo Gumede of South Africa is among the 320 players battling for the Sh4 million prize Grand Mchana Open Pool Championship ongoing in Nairobi and will end on Sunday.
The South African pool sensation is hopeful to carry the day in the second edition of the Kenyan showpiece that has attracted 13 countries across Africa and Europe including hosts Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Malawi, Ghana, South Sudan, Zambia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Portugal and Britain.
“Last year, I was here to grace the event and motivate upcoming players in the sport. But this year I have returned to look for money. I have done my homework well and am hopeful to lift the men’s individual trophy,” Gumede told Standard Sports.
Gumede is relieved with the absence of reigning African champion and compatriot Aden ‘Predator’ Joseph who has missed the tournament due to factors beyond his control.
However, he will have to battle it out with last year’s champion Ssejemba Ibrahim of Uganda who is currently third overall in Africa.
Africa’s second seed Chandiga Caesar, also of Uganda, has also shown his interest for the men’s trophy that has attracted 256 contestants reiterating that both the team and individual titles will head back to Uganda.
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Kenya pool team captain Collins Tuwei has, however, declared that the hosts are the dark-horses for the coveted diadems.
“The prize money has been increased from Sh2 Million to Sh4 million this year. This season we even have the women’s category for the first time. The Kenyan team selected for this tournament is very strong and promising. Last season, we were here to gain experience. But this year, we are here to wage a war up to the last minute,” warned Tuwei.
Kenyan player Patricia Keruche says they are taking the women’s contest that has attracted 64 participants with the seriousness that it deserves.
"Apart from aiming for the prize money, we believe the tournament will give us confidence and great exposure," says Keruche who turned pro two years ago.
Kenya Pool and Billiard Federation Secretary General Doreen Wandia, who is also the Kenyan ladies team captain, says plans are underway to introduce the sports into local schools and academies.
"We are already aligned to the Sports Act, now the next journey is to popularize the game," says Wandia who has just returned from gracing the World Pool Junior Championships in India.
Uganda women team captain Michelle Kyomugisha noted this in her assessment of this year's championship: "We have travelled with a very strong squad of 18 men and 25 women. We have the defending champion and the third seed in Africa. We are here to win everything because in Uganda, pool games are a very serious business where we win cars, houses and even land. So, we are not leaving South Africa to make away with the lucrative prizes."
South Sudan captain Chol Riak and Tanzania champion Charles Venance urged their charges not to let either imposing Europe, boisterous Uganda or calculating South Africa make away with the coveted trophies and lucrative purse money.