East African Gazette
Kampala
Sheila Ankah Kisakye caused a stir among pool enthusiasts when she successfully reached the finals of the 2024 New Year’s pool tournament, which is predominantly dominated by male players.
Despite the existence of a separate ladies’ tournament, women were also given the opportunity to participate in the main event. A total of 64 players, including two women, took part in the men’s tournament held at Tickles and Giggles Bar and Restaurant in Kampala, which also serves as Kisakye’s home ground.
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Kisakye astounded fans by defeating several seasoned players on her way to the finals, where she faced off against the relatively young yet talented pool player Ivan Kazibwe.
Both players were considered underdogs, especially with the presence of renowned pool stars like Caesar Chandiga, Ibrahim Ssejjemba, Mansoor Bwanika, and many others in the tournament.
However, to everyone’s surprise, these established players were unexpectedly eliminated at various stages.
Kazibwe secured his spot in the finals by defeating Ssejjemba, while Kisakye emerged victorious against Abubaker Nakabale, also known as Pacquiao, in the semifinals.
Kisakye, due to her gender, was given a head start of +4 in the race to nine.
She only needed to win five games, while Kazibwe had to win all nine games. Kisakye started off strong by winning the first race, putting the score at 5:0 in her favor against Kazibwe. However, Kazibwe fought back aggressively in the second and third games, narrowing the gap to 2:5.
Kisakye then won the third game, extending her lead to 6:2.
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But Kazibwe responded strongly, winning four consecutive games to tie the score at 6:6.
Nevertheless, Kisakye showed her ambition and determination by winning the remaining three races, securing a victory with a score of 9:6.
Kisakye is currently ranked fourth among the top pool players in the ladies category and is a member of the Uganda National Pool Team.
Her victory is likely to inspire more women to participate in men’s tournaments.
In the past, women were considered inferior to men in the same sport.
Interestingly, Kazibwe also joined the pool sport towards the end of the COVID-19 training with the Upper Volta Pool Club in Kasubi, Kampala.
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He was later signed up by the Capital Night Pool Club and holds the record for the highest number of break and finish (apples) in the pool league.
He broke and finished three frames, setting a new record in the 22-year history of the Pool Association of Uganda.
The ladies category was also won by Rasheeda Mutesi, who defeated Ritah Nimusiima.
As per the Pool Association of Uganda, Mutesi holds the prestigious top seed position among female pool players in the country and is also ranked within the top five in Africa.
Lukia Naiga, who is ranked second among female pool players in Uganda, secured the third place by defeating Victoria Namuyanja in the female category.
Interestingly, Naiga happens to be Mutesi’s sister and is the winner of the 2023 Nile Special Pool League.