Top cueists eye glory at SA pool champs

Namibia Cue Sports Federation (NCSF) has fielded twelve of its top cueists to represent the country at the Ultimate African Pool Challenge in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

The contingent left on Friday for the tournament, which runs from today until Saturday, where they will compete against Africa’s best from hosts South Africa, Uganda, Mozambique, Zambia, Eswatini, Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Morocco, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Ghana.

The NCSF has entered three teams: the national team, a development team and women’s singles players, led by team manager Altta Folscher.

The national team comprises Leon Kolz, Laurenzo Louw, Cyril Möller, Pieter Dreyer and Bertrum Kloppers, while the development team features Waquar Satar, Daniel Clark, Theuns Folscher, Jadon du Plessis and Leon Beukes. The women’s singles representatives are Celeste Espach and Charmaine Kotze.



‘Uphold spirit of fair play’

The team was seen off by the Namibia Sports Commission (NSC) in Windhoek. Speaking at the send-off, NSC representative Christophina Hangalo urged the athletes to compete with pride as the country’s ambassadors.

“Uphold the spirit of fair play and showcase the values that define Namibian sportsmanship. This is your moment, embrace it fully. We trust that this journey will not only be a platform to showcase your skills but also an opportunity for personal growth,” she said.

Hangalo added that the country is rallying behind the athletes and will support them every step of the way.

NCSF president Cyril Möller thanked the NSC for its support as the teams take on the continental challenge, echoing Hangalo’s sentiments of fair play and honour.

“We should be able to look back with integrity and dignity, knowing we stood for the values we believe in, having represented our country at this level. We will go out there and make Namibia proud. Thank you to the sports commission, without whom this trip would not have been possible,” he said.



‘Preparing my whole life’

Debutant Pieter Dreyer said he is eager to put his training into action, having honed his skills alongside his coach and father, Theunis Jacobus Dreyer, and training partner, Shaun Boshoff.

“I have been preparing my whole life for this moment, spending the last few months focusing on the game’s fundamentals. I am excited to go down to South Africa and make my country proud,” he said.

Another player, Charmaine Kotze, who also serves as the NCSF spokesperson, said she hopes to face her idol at the tournament, South Africa’s Tasneem Solomons, the reigning Women’s World Eightball Pool Champion and the first South African woman to win the singles title at the event.

“Training ahead of this event has been quite nerve-wracking, to be honest. But I am very excited, and I’ve been practising the entire week leading up to the tournament, as I currently live on a farm,” she said.

Kotze said she has been putting her all into her training to the point that “my shoulders actually started getting sore” from all the practice.

“It’s a huge honour to be part of this contingent, and I’ve made sure I am ready for it. I would like to thank my parents, especially my father and coach, Jaco Kotze, who will also be competing at the event as a private entry, and Odette Herbst, whom I believe is my number one fan, having supported me through all the phases of my life,” she said.

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