Nairobi: SportPesa has launched a game-changing multi-million shilling investment in the inaugural SportPesa National Pool Circuit, a new national program aimed at transforming pool from a largely recreational pastime into a structured, competitive, and commercially viable sport in Kenya. The partnership with Cuevolution Plus Africa will establish a national competition platform designed to identify, develop, and showcase pool talent from the grassroots, while creating a clearer pathway for players to progress into higher levels of competition within the ‘Black Ball Rules’ format of the game.
According to Kenya News Agency, the circuit will begin with a nationwide grassroots phase running from September 21 to October 4, with competitions hosted concurrently across multiple venues and hubs, before moving into regional championships and three circuit events in Eldoret, Nakuru, and Mombasa. The season will culminate with the National Pool Finals in Nairobi from January 8-10, 2027, bringing together the leading players emerging from the circuit.
Pool is already deeply embedded in communities across Kenya, with players and enthusiasts participating in the sport in venues across the country. However, the sport has historically lacked the national structures, sustained investment, and competitive pathways required to fully develop its talent and commercial potential. The SportPesa National Pool Circuit intends to address this gap by providing players with regular competition, visibility, and a pathway through which they can develop their skills and demonstrate their passion for the sport.
Speaking during the event in Nairobi, SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri said their investment in pool is part of a wider commitment to supporting sports beyond the traditional disciplines and creating structures that allow talent to grow. ‘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. Through the SportPesa National Pool Circuit, we want to change that by creating a platform where players can compete, develop, earn recognition, and ultimately see sport as a viable economic activity.’ he said.
The investment comes at a time when pool and cue sports continue to develop as a professional sporting ecosystem globally. The World Pool Association reported that more than US$11.4 million (Sh. 1.5 billion) in prize money was distributed across WPA-sanctioned events in 2025, underlining the growing commercialization of competitive pool internationally. For Kenya, the ambition is to build a similar foundation around the sport by developing not only players but the wider ecosystem that supports professional competition.
According to the promoter, the circuit will provide opportunities for players to hone their skills while creating employment opportunities for coaches, tournament officials, club operators, technicians, content creators, and other professionals working around the sport. Collins Tuwei, Director at Cuevolution Plus Africa Limited, said this partnership gives an opportunity to take pool in Kenya to another level. He noted that 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.
‘The SportPesa National Pool Circuit will help us build that foundation. We expect the sponsorship to improve the quality and visibility of competitions, identify new talent from the grassroots and, importantly, demonstrate that pool can be approached as a professional sport with real economic opportunities for players and the wider ecosystem.’ he said.
The circuit will be rolled out in phases, beginning with grassroots competition across multiple venues before players converge for regional championships. The circuit will then move to Eldoret from November 6-8, Nakuru from November 20-22, and Mombasa from December 4-6, ahead of the national finals in Nairobi on January 8-10, 2027. The regional and national circuit structure is designed to create a progression route for players, moving from local competition into increasingly competitive stages of the national circuit.
For SportPesa, the investment also reflects its broader multi-sport strategy of supporting disciplines with the potential to develop sustainable sporting ecosystems in Kenya. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to change the perception of pool in Kenya, from a game predominantly associated with recreation and entertainment to a competitive sport capable of changing lives.
