Kenya’s pool sport is set for a new era of organised competition following SportPesa’s multi-million-shilling investment in a national circuit designed to take the game from local venues to a structured national championship.
The inaugural SportPesa National Pool Circuit, launched in partnership with Cuevolution Plus Africa Limited, will create a national platform for players to compete, develop their skills and gain exposure under the Black Ball Rules format.
The initiative comes at a time when pool enjoys widespread grassroots participation across Kenya but has lacked a coordinated national competition structure and a consistent pathway for players seeking to progress in the sport.
The circuit will start with a grassroots competition phase from September 21 to October 4, with tournaments taking place concurrently at selected venues and hubs across the country.
Successful players will progress through regional championships before competing in circuit events scheduled for Eldoret, Nakuru and Mombasa.
The season will conclude with the SportPesa National Pool Finals in Nairobi from January 8 to 10, 2027.
SportPesa Chief Executive Officer Ronald Karauri said the investment reflects the company’s intention to support sporting disciplines beyond the traditional mainstream games.
“Our investment in pool is part of our wider commitment to supporting sports beyond the traditional disciplines and creating structures that allow talent to grow,” Karauri said.
He said the new programme would help address the gap between the popularity of pool and the limited opportunities available to players to compete at higher levels.
“There is significant talent in Kenya that remains largely undiscovered because the structures around the sport have not kept pace with the passion and participation,” he said.
Karauri said the circuit would give players a platform to compete, develop and earn recognition while opening the possibility of pursuing the sport as an economic activity.
Growing commercial prospects
The investment also comes as competitive pool continues to develop into a professional global sport, supported by growing sponsorships, tournaments and prize money.
The World Pool Association reported that more than US$11.4 million, approximately KSh1.5 billion, was paid out in prize money across WPA-sanctioned events in 2025.
The Kenyan circuit is expected to build a broader ecosystem around the game, creating opportunities not only for players but also for coaches, referees, tournament administrators, club operators, equipment technicians and content creators.
Collins Tuwei, Director at Cuevolution Plus Africa Limited, said the partnership would provide the foundation needed to organise the sport at a national level.
“Talent and passion already exist across the country; what has been missing is a structured platform that can bring that talent together, provide consistent competition and give players something to aspire to,” Tuwei said.
He said the investment would help raise the quality and visibility of competitions while allowing organisers to identify promising players from the grassroots.
Regional competition
The circuit will be spread across several stages to give players a clear route towards the national championship.
The Eldoret event will be held from November 6 to 8, followed by Nakuru from November 20 to 22 and Mombasa from December 4 to 6.
Players who emerge from the various stages will qualify for the national finals in Nairobi in January 2027.
The organisers expect the regional approach to expand participation beyond Nairobi and provide players in different parts of the country with opportunities to compete in organised tournaments.
Pool has traditionally been associated with recreation and entertainment venues in Kenya. The new circuit seeks to change that perception by introducing a structured competitive system capable of identifying talent and supporting players through different levels of competition.
For SportPesa, the programme forms part of a wider multi-sport investment strategy aimed at supporting disciplines with potential to develop sustainable sporting ecosystems.
The organisers hope the circuit will ultimately create a stronger professional pathway for Kenyan pool players while generating new opportunities for businesses and professionals supporting the sport.
