Long seen as a game tied to bars and gambling, pool is shedding its rough reputation and gaining recognition as a legitimate sport—one that demands skill, strategy, and discipline. As Mpumalanga prepares to host the National Blackball Championships later this month, players and organizers are pushing for greater respect and funding for the sport.
A Game of Skill and Strategy
Invented in the 14th century, pool has often been overlooked due to its association with taverns and informal betting. But players argue it requires precision, geometry, and intense concentration.
“It’s all about making balls disappear into pockets, setting up the cue ball,” says du Plooy du Plooy, who began playing in 2010. “Hand-eye coordination is imperative, along with patience and discipline.”
du Plooy highlights the sport’s benefits for youth, saying it can “get kids off the streets” while teaching them focus and even mathematics through angle calculation.
A Champion’s Fight for Recognition
Tasneem Solomons, a Cape Flats native and the first South African to become World Master Pool Champion, knows the struggle firsthand.
“I’ve been playing for 20 years, funding my own trips to nationals and worlds,” Solomons says. “Why can’t pool or snooker be recognized like swimming or boxing? I want to get paid as well.”
Solomons dreams of opening an academy to mentor young players, steering them away from crime and toward a structured sport.
Breaking the Stigma
Despite its growing popularity, pool remains underfunded, largely due to its historical ties to bars. But organizers of the upcoming National Blackball Championships aim to change that perception.
“We’ll have nearly 2,000 athletes competing across age groups—from six-year-olds to players in their 70s,” says an event spokesperson. “It’s a disciplined sport with referees, uniforms, and strict dress codes. People need to see it for what it really is.”
The championships, running from June 29 to July 19, will feature categories for juniors, seniors, masters, and elite players. Organizers hope the event will push government and sporting bodies to give cue sports the recognition they deserve.
A Future in the Spotlight?
While pool is not yet an Olympic sport, its supporters are determined to elevate its status. With rising participation and high-profile events like the Mpumalanga championships, the game once played in dimly lit bars is stepping into the light—one carefully calculated shot at a time.
