By KPC Reporter
The Kenya Pool and Billiards Federation (KPBF) has unveiled the national team that will represent the country at the All Africa Pool Championships, set for Durban, South Africa, from February 2 to 8.
The squad was selected following National Team Selection Trials held on January 3 and 4 at Mchana Pub and Grill.
The trials brought together Kenya’s leading male and female players in what KPBF described as a competitive, transparent and merit-based process aimed at identifying athletes best prepared to compete at continental level in the blackball category.
After two days of intense action, the federation named six men and six women to form Team Kenya, with additional standby players included to strengthen the national squad.
The men’s team features Collins Tuwei, Jackson Kariuki, Patrick Mwangi, Noah Esekon, David Njane and Fahad Farah. Cyrus Maina and Samuel Karuru were named as standby players.
In the women’s team, Peninarose Njoki, Jacky Githinji, Wairi Wairegi, Diana Macharia, Naomi Ng’ang’a and Patricia Keruche earned selection, while Doreen Wandia and Stella Kamanthe were listed as standby players.
KPBF said the high standard of play witnessed during the trials underscored the rapid growth of pool in Kenya at both grassroots and national levels, despite persistent challenges related to funding and sponsorship.
Team Kenya heads to Durban with renewed confidence, buoyed by strong recent performances in regional and international tournaments across East and Southern Africa.
The federation noted that players have maintained intensive training programmes and gained valuable exposure through competitions in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
KPBF confirmed that Kenya will field full men’s and women’s teams, as well as competitors in individual categories, and is intensifying efforts to secure the necessary funding to ensure full participation at the championships.
The federation expressed optimism that Team Kenya will compete with pride, professionalism and determination as the country seeks to make a strong impression at Africa’s premier pool tournament.