Blackball players on cue for Durban
Eastern Cape players of all ages are gearing up for the ultimate billiards and blackball showdown at the SA National Blackball Champs in Durban.
The tournament is a selection event to pick the SA teams for the world championships in the UK in October.
A growing sport and popular recreational activity in SA, blackball, also known as English pool, is taking off again in the Bay after a four-year hiatus.
With more than 70 players making up six teams of different ages and open categories gearing up for the event, the local association wants to change how pool is viewed.
Eastern Cape Blackball chair
Justin Roux said the negative perception surrounding the activity was largely due to the association with bars and nightclubs rather than being seen as an actual sport.
“It is received that way because most pool tables are found in spaces and environments like bars,” Roux said.
“So, often, when you want to play pool, you go to a bar, unless somebody has a table at home.”
Roux said Eastern Cape Blackball, which had members from areas such as Newton Park, Lorraine, Zwide, Bethelsdorp, Despatch and Kariega, envisioned setting up a dedicated facility in the long term.
“We want to get a space to put in our tables to create a venue that is not a bar for pool.
“Thereafter, we want to create a school league where everybody can come and play.
“The equipment is quite expensive, so you need sponsorship, which is in our five-year plan.”
Treasurer Leenash Padayachee said the players for the national tournament were all local as the association operated without affiliation to other Eastern Cape federations.
However, it was something the body hoped to turn around.
“The sport is played across the province, but the players in other parts, such as Makhanda and East London, are not yet affiliated with us,” Padayachee, who won a national senior division title last year, said.
“Our goal for next year is to rope in other Eastern Cape cities and towns to take the [sport] beyond the limits of Gqeberha.”
The association held a kit handover ceremony at the 4 Corners Pool Bar in Newton Park on Sunday before the first set of development, socials and grandmasters category players departed for the tournament.
Separated into three tiers, an event for seniors, women and people with learning difficulties and disabilities takes place from April 23-28 before concluding with the men’s and masters competition from April 30 to May 5.
Players were selected after playing 40% of Gqeberha Blackball League games and emerging as top players at the trials.