By our reporter
In Jinja
Ceaser Chandiga and Rukia Nayiga have both lost their titles of the male and female championship in the just concluded National Pool tournament (PAU).
Chandiga who recently made headlines in the pool world by winning the National Open Pool Championship in Uganda scored 6(5/1) 364 points losing out to Kasozi the sharp shooter who scored 6(6/0) 440 points.
This was during a two day pool king and queen championship tournament that was held in Jinja city on Saturday.
In third place was Azali Lukomwa and Caleb Muhire who both scored 292 points 5(4/1) matches.
The tournament organized by the pool association of Uganda was fully sponsored by the National council of sports aimed at improving talent.
In the female competition which was the climax of the event, Jinja ‘s crown jewel Marion Kisakye aka Ankah Sheila eliminated the defending champion Nayiga in the penalties.
The 20 penalties ended with nine-eight in favor of Kisakye who plays for paradise sports bar after beating the defending champion. Nayiga missed out two of the penalties which led to Kisakye’s victory.
Winner for the male championship Kasozi walked away with a cash prize of shillings three million, a trophy and golden medal. Second was Chandiga who walked away with shillings one million five hundred thousand and a silver medal.
For the female, Kisakye bagged shillings one million five hundred thousand with a golden medal while in second position Rukia got shillings seven hundred fifty thousand shillings with a medal.
However before play off of the final matches players protested against a number of challenges which they demanded should be addressed by the chairperson of PAU Bob Trubish.
They included lack of transport facilitation, meals, proper accommodation and poor state of the pool tables used during the tournament.
This prompted the chairperson Trubish to have a closed door meeting which lasted close to two hours.
Upon an agreement the players later agreed to play the finals.
“We need to have proper meals, transport facilitation and decent accommodation. This should be honored by the board of PAU because incase for any tournament we should also be fully catered for because they are always fully sponsored,” the players demanded.
He noted that the board will also hold a special meeting by end of August aimed at how best they can improve on the welfare and communication with the players to avoid further misunderstanding.
Trubish urged all members to affiliate with clubs and also subscribe to PAU ,membership so as to be able to participate fully in the association activities.
“Anyone who does not meet the required standards and requirement of the association will not take part into its activities. Those who will not fulfill the requirements will not participate in the association activities until 2025,” he said.
