Joined in earnest by Pilsner poster boys Abbas Kubaff, DNG and DJ Ricky the Pilsner pool-cum music extravaganza shut down the popular club for a befitting finale after an adrenaline-packed 16-man contest.
While Abbas served his hip hop audience with his usual exuberance and lyrical dexterity, DNG shut down the fete with his new-school jams that have made him the toast of the moment to usher in the new pool champion who takes home Kshs.250, 000 and a two week trip to represent the country at the World Eight-ball Pool Championship in Blackpool, UK on June 23rd.
Mwangi, qualifying from the Western Region beat Dennis Kimani from the Mountain Region 6-4 in a best of 11 to give the 3-month tournament a befitting final in a packed Soccer City, K1.
Mwangi’s win was somewhat considered a tilt of the pool establishment, with Nairobi region hugely expected walk with the honors, with its national team-laden players filling the last 16 spot.
In the last 4, he had dispatched the crowd favourite and national pool champion Collins Tuwei 4-0 and waltzed past another Nairobi favourite Kingsley Nyangwacha 5-2 in the last 8. He had to fend off a marauding Rahim Haji from Coast in the last 16 knockouts earlier in the day, coming from behind to secure a 4-3 win.
The nail-biting finish was a perfect culmination to the Pilsner sponsored challenge that saw 40,000 player’s register from the grassroot level in 840 venues across the country. Pilsner.
The Pilsner League of Kings Pool Challenge, a remake of Simba wa Kenya Pilsner Pool Challenge, which was held a decade ago, when pool was all the fad, was launched mid-January to the relief of pool enthusiasts.
However this particular tournament combined pool and music, replicating the brands involvement with its youthful fans with platforms that include Pilsner DJ Mfalme, a disco jockey talent search and King of Bold musical tour.
Pilsner Marketing Manager Raymond Ngala said the reach and impact of the tournament has been its greatest success and Pilsner would definitely be in for another shot at Pool.
“With 40,000 participants, we have not only curved a niche as the biggest Pool Challenge in Africa but achieved our overall aim to awaken its support from the grassroot to national level providing new experiences,” said Ngala.
The tournament was played in 840 venues in 6 regions Central (covering Kiambu, Nairobi and lower Eastern), Western (Nyanza, Western and Rift Valley), Mountain (Central and Upper Eastern), Coast and AFCO pitting armed forces barracks.
The tournament is part of EABL’s national strategy to supports sports properties while at the same time providing consumer experiences and reward to empower communities and inspire generations.
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| Mwangi |
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| DNA and DNG(Extreme Right) |
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| Abass Kubaff in action |
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| Pilsner Pool King Mwangi |
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| Actor Nick Mutuma |
Major contrats to Martin Mwangi. I was there @K1 and I can testify it was no fluke. The fact that you were battling with the likes of Collo and JC (Kenyan top seed) and you still came out tops is truly commendable. Well done!!!
ReplyDeleteGd luck in the UK, though there I think you mustn't set your hopes too high... brothers are too sad over there.