By Vuyiswa Mabila
EZULWINI- The local cue sports scene was ablaze with energy as 60 of Eswatini competed on an energizing championships which took place over the weekend at Mvutjini Pool Room at Zulwini over the weekend.
The highly anticipated event which featured categories such as Open, Under 18s, Masters, and Seniors, culminated in a series of electrifying matches and an impressive distribution of awards to top-performing players.
In the Open Category, the stakes were at their highest. The overall champion claimed a grand prize of E6000, while the second-place finisher earned E3000. Players in third and fourth place received E2000 each. Demonstrating the depth of competition, those ranked fifth to eighth were awarded E1000 apiece, and players in positions nine to sixteen took home E350 each, rewarding consistency and excellence throughout the tournament.
The Under 18s, Masters, and Seniors divisions also featured spirited performances and recognition for standout competitors. Across these three categories, the prize structure was as follows: the first-place winner received E2000, the runner-up earned E1000, and the third and fourth place finishers received E500 each. Players ranked fifth to seventh were not left out, each walking away with E250.
The championship not only celebrated competitive spirit but also demonstrated the growing popularity of cue sports in the kingdom. With strong performances from both seasoned veterans and emerging youth, the future of the sport in Eswatini looks bright. Organizers commended the players for their discipline and sportsmanship, and plans are already underway for a bigger, more inclusive event next year.
“This tournament has proven the talent we have in Eswatini,” said one of the event coordinators. “We’re proud of all the players who competed, and we hope to continue raising the bar in future editions.”
Cue sports fans can look forward to more action as the national spotlight continues to shine on this captivating and skillful game.
