The grueling road to the prestigious 2024 Nile Special national pool open championship continues with the nation-wide qualifiers in the different corners of the country.
There is assurance for the top seeds; who finished in the first eight positions at last year’s open where Ceasar Chandiga and Lukia Naiga were crowned as the finest male and female respective pool champions on the land.
For the men; Chandiga is joined by Mansoor “Muto” Bwanika, Joseph Kasozi, Kenneth Odong, Laurence Ssengonge, Jonan “Joker” Turigye, Azaali “Hazard” Lukomwa and Ibra Ssejjemba, among the seed players.
Ceaser Chandiga humbled Joker 7-0 in semi-final clash last year | Credit: John Batanudde
Mansoor Bwanika, 2018 Nile Special National Open pool winner | Credit: David Isabirye
Jonan “Joker” Turigye
The cars won by the 2023 Nile Special National Open pool winners | Credit: David Isabirye
The latest qualifiers were played over the weekend at the Itaano pool Arena in Mukono with the national team captain Habie Ssebuguzi making the grade alongside Emma Ssetomelo and Najib Matovu.
Former champion Amos Ndyagumanawe is already in having been among the first players to qualify.
Ndyagumanawe qualified from New Labamba bar in Kisoro, South West of the country, together with Rashid Wagaba and Emmanuel Hashaaka.
“I am happy to have qualified already. Now, the onus is to remain in top form by training to keep in the best frame mentally and physically” Ndyagumanawe, who is one of the best players to grace the game remarks.
Simon “The Computer” Lubulwa, a perennial contender to the holy grail qualified from Townsend Bar in Ntinda, together with Ian Atwiine and Mustapha Bwiire.
At the Round Place Bar in Gayaza, one form Ibra “Musilamu” Kayanja and veteran Idd Walusimbi were joined Brian Mugenyi among the three successful players.
In total, there are supposed to be 128 players at the grand finale (for the men) and 64 females.
The Nile Special National Pool Open championship is arguably the greatest pool open in Uganda with hefty prize money from the main sponsors, Nile Breweries Limited (under the flagship brand of Nile Special).
Besides the cash to the to 16 players (men) and outstanding 8 (females), the winners are also given cars.
Qualified players so far:
Top Seeds:
1: Ceasar Chandiga
2: Mansoor Bwanika
3: Joseph Kasozi
4: Kenneth Odong
5: Laurence Ssengonge
6: Jonan “Joker” Turigye
7: Azaali “Hazard” Lukomwa
8: Ibra Ssejjemba
Other players:
New Labamba (Kisoro)
9: Rashid Wagaba
10: Amos Ndyagumanawe
11: Emmanuel Hashaaka
Timeless Bar (Nansana)
12: Dan Mubiru
13: Mike Mugenyi
14: Martin Ssenyonjo
Townsend Bar (Ntinda)
15: Simon Lubulwa
16: Ian Atwiine
17: Mustapha Bwiire
Oak Bar (Mbale)
18: Kanakulya Bashir
19: Nabugu Abdul
20: Modi Edward
Round Place Bar (Gayaza)
21: Ibra Kayanja
22: Idd Walusimbi
23: Brian Mugenyi
Da Place (Tororo)
24: Bruce Abaheirwe
25: Robert Mugabe
26: Shadrack Ojuma
Capital Pub (Lira)
27: Gerald Etop
28: James Busisa
29: Daniel Nyang
Babuza Bar (Rukungiri)
30: Edgar Bwitira
31: Innocent Ariyo
32: Joab Ssekaja
Itaano Arena (Mukono)
33: Habie Ssebuguzi
34: Emma Ssetomelo
35: Najib Matovu
Da Chillaz (Soroti)
36: Robert Malinga
37: Sam Ecumu
38: Hilary Ouma
Smart Bar (Kizinda)
39: Emmanuel Mukiibi
40: Ronald Tumwiine
41: Conrand Clement Mwinule
Cue Bar (Gulu)
42: Moses Omara
43: Simon Komakech
44: Moses Opio
Adi’s Spot (Kireka)
45: Castor Othieno
46: Emma Nagwere
47: Sowedi Mugerwa
Dravege Bar (Adjumani)
48: Innocent Komakech
49: Kennedy Annan
50: Allan Openyi
Paul Games Bar (Mbarara)
51: Modern Agume
52: Apollo Kabangira
53: Jonnie Christopher
New Victoria Bar (Kireka)
54: Peter Mayinja
55: Dickson Kyagaba
56: Paul Kalema
The post The road to Lugogo: 56 players so far qualified for grand finale | 2024 Nile Special national pool Open appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
