View all the action at cue sport champs
CUE sports in KwaZulu-Natal will take a giant leap into the public arena when the Provincial Blackball Championships are contested at Sibaya Casino’s Sunpark on Saturday.
The province’s biggest day of championship finals would take place from 9am to 9pm, with free parking at Sibaya Casino and free entry to the event throughout the day for all ages, said event manager Apsra Panchoo.
“For the first time the finals are being hosted in a public venue. We want to create awareness of the great future that affiliate members may have in such a sport.
“KZN Cue Sport is a provincial affiliate member of the South African Confederation of Cue Sport, which is registered with the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport. We therefore ensure compliance to the relevant authorities to emphasise the fact that cue sport can be a preferred choice of sport for the youth,” said Panchoo.
“Cue sport, blackball, is being rolled out as a potential school sport with a very bright future ahead for players, referees, managers, coaches and administrators, and this event is meant to expose the sport to the public as we ramp up our development efforts.”
Panchoo, who wears various hats in the sport, regionally, provincially and nationally, said the venue would be alcohol-free, which will allow children to accompany parents and view the action or enjoy the public participation activities. There will also be random lucky draw raffle prizes and competitions for beginners.
“The venue will have tables set aside for the public to challenge the KZN champions, provincial colours recipients and current qualifying Protea caps who will represent South Africa in the 2018 World Championships in November in Bridlington in the UK,” said Panchoo, the secretary for KZN Blackball who is also a national board member of the national mother body, SA Confederation of Cue Sport.
The serious competitors will vie for gold, silver and bronze medals in singles and team champion events, with awards presentations taking place after each match. The various categories are Under-23, Over-40, Mens, Ladies, Masters and Socials.
The organisers have arranged a sponsorship of 10 world-class specification pool tables from QMasters. They will host a stall for the sale of cue sport items, and supporters will be able to meet the stars of the sport and take photographs and get autographs from their favourite players.
Besides Panchoo, a threetime (and current) World Women’s team champion gold medallist, the other award recipients and competitors on Saturday will include snooker and blackball provincial champion Kyle Akaloo, current Over-40 Protea Cup champion Lowell Singh, 2018 qualifying Protea player Sagie Jico Naidoo (Masters), current Under-14, SA Lags Champion and team semi-finalist Neo Panchoo, and the SA Ladies Lags champion Joy Soupen.