SportPesa has launched the SportPesa National Pool Circuit, a multimillion national program.
The launch is in partnership with Kenyan promoters Cuevolution Plus Africa. The initiative is designed to transform pool from a largely recreational pastime into a structured, competitive, and commercially viable sport across the country.
While pool is already deeply embedded in communities across Kenya, the sport has historically lacked the national framework, sustained investment, and competitive pathways required to fully nurture talent and unlock its commercial potential.
The newly established circuit aims to bridge this gap by creating a national competition platform operating under the Black Ball Rules format. Registration is open to all interested players online at sportpesapool.ke.
Speaking at the launch event, SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri highlighted the firm’s commitment to developing sports beyond traditional disciplines:
“Our investment in pool is part of our 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.”
The national circuit will be rolled out in progressive stages to establish a clear advancement route from local venues to the national stage. It begins with the Grassroots Phase, from September 21 to October 4, 2026, which features nationwide open competitions hosted concurrently across local venues and hubs.
The top qualifiers from these regional championships will then advance to three major circuit stops in Eldoret on November 6–8, 2026, Nakuru on November 20–22, 2026, and Mombasa on December 4–6, 2026. The season will culminate with the SportPesa National Pool Finals in Nairobi from January 8 to 10, 2027, where the top players emerging from the circuit will compete for the national title
The initiative seeks to build a comprehensive sporting ecosystem in Kenya. Beyond competing players, the circuit aims to generate employment and economic opportunities for coaches, tournament officials, club operators, technicians, content creators, and other professionals working within the sport.
Collins Tuwei, Director at Cuevolution Plus Africa Limited, said: “This partnership gives us an opportunity to take pool in Kenya to another level. 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. Importantly, we want to demonstrate that pool can be approached as a professional sport with real economic opportunities for players and the wider ecosystem.”
This investment aligns Kenya with the international commercial growth of cue sports. In 2025, the World Pool Association distributed over US$11.4 million (KSh 1.5 billion) in prize money across sanctioned events globally. As part of SportPesa’s broader multi-sport strategy, the tournament seeks to shift public perception of pool from casual entertainment to a respected, professional sport.
