By KPC Sports Reporter
The Kenya women’s pool team has made history after finishing second at the African Pool and Billiards Championship, marking the country’s first-ever appearance in the finals of the continental tournament.
Pool and Billiards Federation President Ben Ndumu described the achievement as remarkable, saying the team exceeded expectations despite early challenges in assembling the full squad. He noted that the result reflects Kenya’s growing strength in the sport, particularly among young women.
Ndumu called on the government to deepen its partnership with the federation by supporting structured leagues in schools, universities and communities to nurture talent from an early age.
Team Kenya captain Collins Tuwei termed the performance the country’s best yet, attributing the success to thorough preparation, mental resilience and belief in the team’s strategy. He underscored the importance of grassroots development, noting that in countries such as South Africa, children are introduced to the sport at a very young age.
Tournament Director Martin Kehato confirmed that Kenya’s strong showing has earned the country qualification for the World Black Ball Championship, scheduled for October 2026 in London. He added that Kenya has also submitted a bid to host the African Pool and Billiards Championship in 2028, alongside Namibia.
The championship also marked the first time Kenya participated in the continental event with full government sponsorship, a development officials say is already delivering positive results for the sport.