By: John Kariuki
Pool is now officially a professional sport in Kenya. The Kenya Pool and Billiards Federation (KPBF) in partnership with Hallo-pay Ltd- a payment solutions provider on Thursday launched the sport at PINS Entertainment Sarit Centre which also kicked off the Kenya Pool Team Selection event to select the national team to represent Kenya in South Africa later this year.
The event was themed; “Pooling for Mental Health” which is a campaign to change the narrative around the Pool game and position it as a game that impacts the mental health of the youth positively. The launch is also aimed at building a conversation about Pool and to shape public opinion on it.
The Kenya national team will comprise of 5 men and 5 women who will represent Kenya in the All Africa Pool games to be held in South Africa in October 2023. The Pool games have been organized by the All Africa Pool Association (AAPA) of which Kenya through KPBF is a member.
Speaking during the event, KPBF Tournament Director Morgan Mutua said that it was time for Pool to be recognized as a professional sport in Kenya because it carries immense benefits to an individual. “Playing pool requires an incredible amount of Hand-eye coordination which improves the physical, mental and social capacity of a person. It is a game where one utilizes physical coordination, balance and flexibility. Additionally, a player needs to engage their mental capacity as they need critical thinking, planning, coordination and accuracy, He added.
“We are living in unprecedented times where the cost of living is getting more depressed by the day.
There is need to look for ways in which the youth can dispense some of the life’s pressures and Pool is one of those that can be used since it does not require a high investment like golf or chess” he concluded.
AAPA Vice Chairlady Doreen Wandia commented. 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 and it can benefit the player as it helps one focus and be dear and have mental clarity.
Pool is not just a pub game. It is a sport, which includes all the variations of pool such as American pool. English Pool. Heyball, Snooker and many more. Cue Sports are recognized internationally and even have their own governing bodies. Pool is also recognized by the International Olympics Committee (IOC).
The phrase Cue Sports is an umbrella term to describe any variation of snooker or billiards. The World Confederation of Billiards Sports oversees Cue Sports on an international level.