Cue Sports: International Pool event organizers should consider Nigeria as a potential market – Idada Joachim

Joachim Idada, President Snooker and Pool Players Alliance as guest on Cue Sports, Nigeria’s premier Snooker and Pool television program re-affirms the commitment of the alliance towards preparing Nigeria players for the many international events in 2021 following the release of the calendars by event organizers and the sport’s governing bodies.

Reviewing the 2021 calendars of the International Pool Association (IPA) Tour, organized by the International Pool Association, Matchroom Pool and Joy Chinese 8 Ball Pool Continental Cup with Cue Sports program host Jide Olaniran, he said

“IPA is the governing body and major organizer of professional Black Ball Pool even though their event still accommodates and is open to some amateur matches”

“In Nigeria, we play two types of Pool; the standard 8 ball Pool and “highest Potter”, a local format which allows more than 2 players play during a match”

The Highest Potter game does not recognize colors of balls. Players attempt to pot as many balls as possible during their turn while they do a cumulative ball count. The player that pots the highest number of balls during the game wins. These games are more of stake or betting game.

“There is an opportunity for local players in Nigeria to play professional Pool because IPA is a member of the WPA (World Pool Billiards Association) based in South Africa which our Cue Sports Association is likewise affiliated. The Alliance Alliance is trying to pushing for a more structured approach to Cue sports development in Nigeria.”

“The Snooker and Pool Players Alliance (SPPA) recognizes 8 level of play and 4 categories of players; Leisure, Amateur, Masters’ and Professional”

About Matchroom Pool, Joachim said:

“Matchroom restricts it’s events to 9 Ball Pool. It was exciting watching the Mosconi Cup on television within Africa.”

“I hope that someday soon more African players will show more interest in 9 ball Pool.”

“The pandemic and lack of sporting events due to the lockdown in 2020 affected many professional Pool players adversely because they rely on the sport for their livelihood”.

“We have talented players in Nigeria who can hold their own on the international stage.  Example is Waliu Nojeem who was able to beat top Nigeria Snooker players in a tournament despite the fact that he was a Pool player”.

“We are looking at encourage international Pool event organizers should  to consider Nigeria as a potential market to invest in….. They can support or partner with the Snooker and Pool Players Alliance to organize viable events”.

“In the Snooker and Pool Players Alliance, we are doing everything possible to get make sure that some of the players that play off the streets if we  and bring them under a good structure to train them and send them out to play internationally.”

About the Joy Chinese 8 Ball Pool Continental cup, he said

“Joy Billiards is doing something big called the Continental Cup. It is exciting because for once Africa is been considered in the scheme of things.”

“Even though South Africa believes that they are miles ahead of other countries in Africa in Chinese 8 Ball Pool, because of the lack of competitive opportunity that brings all of us together has not arisen, The continental tour will provide the opportunity to compete and we are confident that to describes Nigeria will emerge as the giant of Africa has finally arrived and is not mire talk”.