By 
On Wednesday, 22nd May the Pool King and Queen tournament was launched at the Pool Association Uganda (PAU) offices in Kampala, Kamwokya.
The annual tournament returns after a one year break in preparation of the Morocco Championship. The tournament’s aim is to get more talents and also collect more numbers into the game as Pool prepares to gain a Federation status.
Unlike the other editions of the Pool King and Queen this time round the tournament is going to have two phases the Qualifier stages and grand final.
The Qualifiers will traverse around the country in the affiliated associations of Pool in Uganda will start on the 1st and 2nd June.
First batch will see Ankole region play at Paul Gardens in Mbarara, Gulu – Court 8, Jinja- Paradise Spot, Greater Mityana- Half London, Greater Mukono – Black Sheep Arena, Tooro -Grafton Arms and Kampala Metropolitan that will play at Were Belle.
On the 8th and 9th, qualifiers shall be in Masaka at Club 8, Rwenzori region that will host their at Jam Lounge in Kasese, Kitgum – Icon Lounge, Elgon – Orgbar just like Entebbe Corridor who will be at Kings Sports Arena.
On thé 14th and 15th, Pool association will climaxing the qualifiers at Upper Volter in Kampala with a needed total of 56 men and 28 ladies to join the top seeded players at the grand final.
The grand final will take place on the 21st and 22nd June at Paradise Sport in Jinja City.
Previously Pool Queen was played individually just like the Pool King with Eight winners of Ladies and two from the men.
Pool Queen started on 2009 with the different winners as included below;
Women
- 2009 – Winnie Tushabe
- 2010 – Brenda Tendo
- 2011 – Jacinta Kajuni
- 2012 – Jacinta Kajuni
- 2013 – Carol Kanzira
- 2014 – Victoria Namuyanja
- 2015 – Angella Busingye
- 2016 – Victoria Namuyanja
- 2017 – Victoria Namuyanja
- 2021 – Rashid Mutesi
- 2022 – Rashid Mutesi
Men
- 2021 – Mansoor Bwanika
- 2022 – Ibrahim Ssejjemba
From the Qualifier stage, there will be cash prizes and winners will be taking home something that we have labeled as facilitation;
Men
- 1st position – UGX 250,000
- 2nd position – UGX 200,000
- 3rd position – UGX 100,000
- 4th position – UGX 100,000
Women
- 1st position – UGX 200,000
- 2nd position – UGX 100,000
On the grand final in Jinja, the winner of the men’s category will bag UGX 3,000,000, a gold medal and trophy.
The second will return home with UGX 1,500,000 and silver medal unlike the third who will take UGX 750,000 plus bronze medal.
In the Ladies, Winner will walk away with UGX 2,000,000 , a gold medal and trophy – For second and third bagging UGX 1,000,000, UGX 500,000 and medals respectively.
There are top players who are labeled as the top seeds expected to Grace the tournament such Ceaser Chandiga, Mansoor Bwanika, Kasozi Joseph, Ssewonge Lawrence, Turigye Jonan, Ssebuguzi Habib and Ssejjemba Ibrahim.
For the Women, we are expected to Rukia Nayiga, Rashida Mutesi, Anka Sheila and Victoria Namuyanja.
Player to Watch
Thirteen (13) year old Asiku.
