Ten nations lock horns for top diadems as Cue Masters tour rages on in Arusha
ARUSHA: PLAYERS from 10 African are in Arusha to compete for the top titles in the Cue Masters International Tournament 2026, a pool table competition being held from August 27 to 31 at the Cue Masters’ Billiard Centre in…
ARUSHA: PLAYERS from 10 African are in Arusha to compete for the top titles in the Cue Masters International Tournament 2026, a pool table competition being held from August 27 to 31 at the Cue Masters’ Billiard Centre in Njiro, Arusha.
The five-day tournament has attracted players from Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Eswatini, competing in the Men Singles, Ladies and Teams categories.
Tournament coordinator Nasib Nassoro Njarita said more than 300 participants are taking part in various categories, including 256 players in the Men Singles, 32 women and 15 teams.
He said the tournament had received a strong response due to the large number of participants from both Tanzania and other countries, a development he said demonstrated the growing popularity of pool table in the country.
“Pool is a source of employment for young people because it creates opportunities for them and players can earn good money. It is not a game for hooligans as some people think,” he said.
He said the sport had continued to grow after various stakeholders started giving it greater attention, which he said had contributed to the development and promotion of pool table in the country.
Njarita said organisers were already exploring the possibility of staging a bigger tournament next year after some major companies expressed interest in working with them.
On prizes, the winning team will receive 5,000 US dollars, the runners-up 2,000 US dollars and the third-placed team 1,000 US dollars.
In the Men Singles category, the winner will receive 4,000 US dollars, the runner-up 3,000 US dollars, the third-placed player 2,000 US dollars and the fourth-placed player 1,000 US dollars. Players finishing fifth to eighth will each receive 500 US dollars.
ALSO READ: National Pool team gears up for African challenge
In the Ladies – Double Life category, the winner will receive 2,000 US dollars, the runner-up 1,000 US dollars, the third-placed player 500 US dollars and the fourth-placed player 300 US dollars.
Njarita called on young people interested in the sport to commit themselves and work hard, saying pool table could provide employment and help them transform their lives through their talents.
“We are committed to developing young people and giving them opportunities to play and showcase their talents,” he said.
