By Isaac Afolabi
A pationate lover of Billiard Sports and advocate of pool sports in Nigeria, Mr Oluwasegun David has solicited for increased awareness and development of pool sports, with the aim to identify and nurture talented individuals from the grassroots level to stardom by guiding them in the standardized, globally recognized techniques of the game.
Mr David made the revelation when the leadership of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Ondo State Chapter, led by Segun Giwa, paid him a courtesy visit at his pool lounge in Akure.
Mr David who is also a security expert said his passion for the pool game also made him to invest so much in getting the approved pool (A-boards) at his entertainment hub, Fourteen75 Lounge, to attract players to play to international standards and nurture talents to participate in pool competitions in China.
Pool is a popular cue sport played on a table with six pockets, where players use a cue stick to strike balls and score points and requires skill, strategy, and focus. It’s enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels, from casual players to professional competitors.
Briefing sports journalists on the rules of the game, David said the pool game is a career-driven sport to discover talents who find interest in playing the game.
The Ayede Ekiti-born pool advocate sought the support of Ondo SWAN to propagate the benefit of the pool game, stressing that there will be a championship playoff scheduled to be held in June in Akure, with his pool lounge to host a competition to produce two representatives.
Also speaking on why the game was not incorporated into the 2024 Olympics,Mr David lamented the poor organisation globally and the mentality of many that it’s marely for entertainment alone and also for gamblers who dressed informal.
He however said a deliberate plan by international boy is carrying out some reorganisations including dress code, standard rules and regulations,training of officials to again submit proposal for inclusion into the Olympics.
The security expert and an ardent pool player said more awareness should be given to the pool game while dispelling rumours that the game is only for the rich and also a game for gamblers.
He called on people with interest in the game to be involved as it can also improved their mental health,entertain and a professional career.
He also noted that a competition is scheduled for June 2024 to identify talents that would represent Nigeria in China here in Akure at the Fourteen 75 lounge.
“We invested on this board as well in Akure, now, I have close to over hundred players that come here regularly to play. Some come as early as 8 AM, some as early as 7 AM to play”
“So, it is a gradual process, we started with one board, 2 years ago we added another board, and this year we added the third one. So, with the Bing board for instance, what I have also done is that you can not bet on that board if you want to learn how to play the sport, if you want to be good at it, if you want to go to China and play in competitions, this is the board you play on. In Nigeria, we only have three places that have the pool table; Lagos has one, Akure has one and Asaba has one,” he said.
Responding, Chairman of SWAN in Ondo State, Mr Segun Giwa, assured of the association’s support to give the pool game the deserved publicity.
Mr Giwa noted that he would partner with the Ondo State Sports Council and Ministry of Youths and Sports to see how the pool game can be incorporated and promoted to encourage talents to take an interest in the sport.
He said that the association could also organize a competition on the game after he had taken members through the necessary rudiments and rules of the game.