Rwf20 million has been earmarked for the inaugural National Pool Table Championships, slated to kick off later this month, Saturday Sport has learned.

Organisers say the ultimate winner will walk away Rwf1.5 million richer. 

The three-week championships will start on May 18 with preliminaries across the country and run through June 8, with the final and third place playoffs taking place at Kigali Convention Centre. 

The first of its kind in the country, the competition will be held at 16 sites for preliminary rounds – with eight locations in Kigali along, while the upcountry districts of Rubavu, Musanze, Muhanga, Nyanza, Rusizi, Huye, Nyagatare and Rwamagana will have a site each. 

The eight sites in Kigali include; Kicukiro, Nyamirambo, Kimisagara, Remera, Muhima, Nyamata, Kanombe and Gakinjiro. The winner at each site will walk away with Rwf100,000 and a ticket to the round of 16 due June 2.

The quarterfinals will be staged on June 4, semifinals on June, 6 while the final and playoff for the third place as well as the awards ceremony will be held on June 8.

The championship is organised by Just Gaming, a sports firm.

"This provides a golden opportunity for people from all walks of life and backgrounds to participate and take pool table to a professional level. This championship will grow bigger with time,” David Niyonsaba, the founder, Just Games, told Saturday Sport yesterday. 

The winner will earn Rfw1.5 million, while the first runner-up will get Rwf1 million and the second runner-up Rwf800,000.

By press time, over 550 people had registered for the tournament.

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