Kenya starts selection process for All Africa Pool Games

Cyrus Maina (center) playing pool is flanked by Kenya Pool and Billiards Federation team in partnership with Hallo-pay after the launch of Pool as a professional Sport and National pool team selection at PINS Entertainment, Sarit Center, Nairobi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya has begun selection process for the prestigious All Africa Pool Games to be held in South Africa on October 10.

The nation seeks to send a contingent of 16 players; 8 men and 8 women for the continental premier pool table contest to be contested by some of the finest players across Africa.

The registration process for the Kenya selection begun in Nairobi on Thursday ahead of the grassroots playoffs slated for June 1 across the country.

Subcounty contests will be held on July 1-15 which will be followed by counties showpieces between July 16-31.

The national finals to select the final 16 will be staged on August 17-20.

The final Kenya Pool national team will be accompanied by four officials to South Africa, the is set to depart the country on October 7.

"I'm looking forward to bag the top position.

"I'm going to do endless practices to sharpen my focus and mental acuity ahead of the selections," Kenya pro Cyrus Maina, who started playing the game in 1998 at only 10 years, told Standard Sports.

Maina, who also doubles up as a referee, plays for Whysky River Pool Club.

Secretary General Kenya Pool Billiard Federation Doreen Wandia in partnership with Hallo-pay during the launch of Pool as a professional Sport and National pool team selection at PINS Entertainment, Sarit Center. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The pool table tournament is supported by Hallo-pay Limited whose CEO Billy Ocharo encouraged the youths to come out in large numbers to try their luck for the South Africa trip which will be fully funded by his organization in conjunction with the Kenya Pool and Billiards Federation ( KPBF).

"We are out to show young people that this game can take them places," Ocharo underlined.

Tournament Director Morgan Mutua said he is glad that the game has been finally registered by the Kenya National Sports Council and this is now giving local players a chance to focus on international tournaments including those supported by the International Olympic Committee.

"Playing pool requires an incredible amount of hand-eye coordination.

"This improves the physical, mental and social capacity of a person.

"It is a game where one utilises physical coordination, balance and flexibility.

"Additionally, a player needs to engage their mental capacity as they need critical thinking, planning, coordination and accuracy," Mutua explained.

The All Africa Pool Association Vice Chairlady Doreen Wandia while hailing the tournament stated: " Pool is a game played worldwide by both amateurs and pros alike.

"It is a sport that can be mastered from childhood and played till a ripe old age.

"It is beneficial to the players as it helps one to have mental focus and clarity."

Rahab Watare, Skywall General Manager, said they are happy to be part of a tournament that is creating awareness on mental health which is in line with their organization mission and vision.