Organisers stake N1m prize for maiden Oyo State Pool Champions League

Posted : 16 October 2024

The convener of the maiden Oyo State Pool Champions League, Oluwatosin Odita, says a grand prize of one million Naira will be at stake for competitors.

Odita disclosed this at a news conference at the Ibadan Recreation Club (IRC), promising a hitch-free tournament.

He stated that the five-day tournament would feature players from many parts of the country jostling for the grand prize.

The tournament will be held from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 and will feature 32 players.

The convener mentioned that the best 16 players would advance from the opening round to the quarter-finals, before moving on to the semi-finals and finals.

“There will be games each day of the week, from the preliminaries to the quarter-finals and semi-finals, while all matches of the tournament will be held at the Black Nile Lounge in Bodija every day.

“Then, the final will take place at the Billionaires Section of Ibadan Recreation Club,” he said.

Odita emphasized that the essence of the tournament was to create a community of players and to identify them as pool players.

He noted that new talents would be merged with players from Lagos, and then the sport’s umbrella body would partner with international organizations to promote the players.

“The tournament will create an academy for younger players to master the technicalities of the game.

“Plans are underway to enroll the players in a coaching course with the UK governing body for pool annually.

“The certificate will enable the players to become coaches anywhere in the world in the future, thereby giving back to the community by training others,” Odita said.

The overall winner of the tournament will receive N1 million and a trophy, while the first runner-up will get N500,000 and the second runner-up N300,000.

All participants in the league will also receive certificates.

The chairman of IRC’s Billiards and Snooker Section, Mbim Okutiyang, said the section was providing Nigerians with the opportunity to play on standard tables recognized globally in snooker and pool.

He added that the tournament would serve as an opportunity for people to understand what IRC is all about and what it offers.

Additionally, the chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Adebowale Falana, stated the need to engage youths in sports, especially in areas beyond football.

He urged the youth in the country to come out in large numbers to showcase their talents at the tournament.

“The focus is not only on football, as the agency has been doing a lot to help youths discover their talents,” Falana said.

He pledged the agency’s moral and financial support to make the league a memorable one.

Organisers stake N1m prize for maiden Oyo State Pool Champions League

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