The road to the prestigious 2024 Nile Special national pool open championship qualifiers have intensified with just two shock eliminations witnessed.
The biggest upset this weekend was Savimbi who was beaten in Mbikko by Roxberry teammate Arnold Ssemukwano.
Another major upset is Ian Kazibwe who was eliminated from Open Bar Nyanama.
Top seeds Chandiga, Mansoor Bwanika, Joseph Kasozi, Kenneth Odong, Laurence Ssengonge, Jonan Turigye, Azaali Lukomwa and Ibra Ssejjemba are assured of direct slots to this year’s Grand finale.
Meanwhile, four places are reserved for top seeds Rukia Naigaga, Rashida Mutebi, Marion Kisakye and Ritah Nimusiima in women’s category.
In the females’ Qualifiers, three-time Pool Queen Victoria Namuyanja chose to qualify from Mbarara over Mukono and came as the best placed player.
Whilst, PAU officer in charge of women affairs Debborah Ibenu also defied all odds to win the Soroti race to register herself onto the National Open Grand finale menu card.
28 slots are up for grabs from nine (9) venues from across the country.
At the Grand finale, 32 women will compete for the Grand prize of a car courtesy of Nile Special.
The women qualifiers will climax on Friday, the 25th October 2024 with two venues Icon Lounge in Kitugum and Da Villa Lounge in Masaka.
This will be the third edition for the women’s competition despite the men’s, that has been played since 2001.
In total, there are supposed to be 64 players at the grand finale (for the men) and 32 females.
Besides the cash to the to 16 players (men) and outstanding 8 (females), the winners are also given cars.
Nile Special injected a total of shs.340 million for the championship that will run to the grand finale at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium.
