Fight for pool spot hits up
Calistus Kolantsho | Wednesday August 5, 2015 15:49
Players who have made it to the finals are Joseph Tsienyane, Keabetswe Mazana, Tebogo Phiri, Meshack Abraham, Boikanyo Humu, Ndulamo Mathumo, Petrus Sokela, Mogolodi Kebalekanye, Dimpho Moribola and Kabelo Salobati.
There are 22 slots still up for grabs as qualifiers continue in other venues.
The winner of the tournament will walk away P50,000 richer. The second prize is P16,000 while the third prize is P10,000.
Tournament coordinator, Marang Morolong said the eight players have already pocketed P1,000 each. Morolong who is a director of events at management company Earth Africa, which sponsors the tournament, said players who made it to the finals have already pocketed P1, 000 each. Morolong said pool can be played as a professional sport in the country and it has a massive following. The qualifiers were played in Kanye, Lobatse, Molepolole, Gabane and Mahalapye. “We are aware that snooker is regarded as a bar sport, but we want to remove the tag and make people realise that in other countries the sport is played for a living.
“We have to work hard for that to happen. It cannot be an overnight achievement,” he said.
He said there are many Batswana who are good in the sport and with support, snooker can put the country on the world map.
He said Earth Africa is trying to seek support from other companies. Morolong said this weekend they would be in Maun, followed by Palapye, Selebi-Phikwe, Tlokweng, Francistown, Gaborone and Jwaneng. He said the response has been amazing and the competition is getting tougher at every venue. He said the participation fee is P350 and tickets are sold at venues. Morolong said the idea is to host the tournament annually.