Moses Omara, who made his name by stopping last year’s losing finalist Ibrah Sejjemba in the 2023 Nile Special National Open Pool Championship in the second round, once again proved his class as the biggest name to qualify for the second stage of this year’s edition.
Omara advanced from Adi’s Spot in Kireka, alongside Pool Association of Uganda (PAU) Electoral Commission chairman Moses Omara, Stephen Ddumba and Derrick ‘Kigatto’ Ntwali, as the national championship moved a notch higher over the weekend.
‘The field is getting tougher each year, but that only makes the victory sweeter. Every player now understands what it takes to reach the grand finale, so I’m just taking it one step at a time,’ Omara said after securing qualification to the regional qualifiers that will be held at the same venue.
High stakes
The attention now turns to Amoo Bar in Namuwongo on November 21 for the regionals, where a hot contest is expected. Former finalist Ian Kanyesige, Greater Mukono’s Ivan Kafureka and Pot It’s Solomon Nkwakira are some of the big names expected to fight for four available regional places.
Meanwhile, in the Jinja region, Rich Rich Bar and Paradise Pub are set to host the last mini qualifiers this weekend. The battle there will feature familiar faces including Eric Mugabo, who already progressed from Vibes Bar, Jinja City lawyer Silas Wasswa, Cyrus Mawejje and Hussein Kato. Only four will advance to the grand finale, raising the stakes for each frame played.
The Mbale region is also racing against time, with top players having until November 22 and 29 to keep their hopes alive. Embassy Lounge and Roof Top Bar will host the final qualifiers before the December 13 regionals at Oak Bar, where the best from Eastern Uganda will converge.
In Mityana, the spotlight will fall on Prime Shooters where the Central Regionals are due on December 5. Teen sensation Farouk Mutumba, who booked his slot from the same venue, will be up against seasoned players such as Abubaker ‘Pacquiao’ Nakabaale and Sharif Ssali in what could be the battle of youth versus experience.
Elsewhere, Scrap Buyers coach Humphrey Nsubuga kept his remarkable streak alive, on course to qualify for yet another grand finale after topping the minis list at Townsend Bar in Ntinda.
Nsubuga, who has never missed a national final, was joined by Upper Volta’s Captain Mustapha Bwire, Innocent Niwagaba and Matthias Tumwebaze.
At King’s Spot in Entebbe, Eria Kimuli emerged as the top cueist and will face Peter Goobi of Pot It in the regionals on November 22. Kimuli qualified alongside Julius Serunjogi, Ronnie Kyeyune and Frank Walela, making Entebbe one of the regions to watch in the coming weeks.
The mini qualifiers continue until November 22, after which 40 venues across the country will host the regionals. From these, 120 men will qualify for the grand finale, while 28 women will make it to their own final.
The top-ranked male players and eight top-seeded women, however, will not take part in the qualifiers, having earned direct entry based on their national rankings. The final will be played on December 21 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
SELECTED QUALIFIED PLAYERS
Adi’s Spot, Kireka
Moses Omara
Stephen Ddumba
Derrick Ntwali
Townsend Bar, Ntinda
Humphrey Nsubuga
Mustapha Bwire
Innocent Niwagaba
Matthias Tumwebaze
Prime Shooters, Mityana
Farouk Mutumba
Abubaker Nakabaale
Sharif Ssali
King’s Spot, Entebbe
Eria Kimuli
Julius Serunjogi
Ronnie Kyeyune
Frank Walela