Mukono Ladies coach Peter Kyobe wants his team to make history when the Uganda Women National Pool League cues off on Sunday, with the defending champions chasing a third consecutive title.

Having won the last two editions, Mukono are aiming to become the first team since Hot Pool in 2009 and 2010 to win the women’s league three times in a row.

For Kyobe, the mission goes beyond defending the trophy. He wants to keep his players motivated, improve their individual careers and give them more opportunities to compete internationally.

“Winning the league back-to-back is very special. We get to know that we entered the small circle of teams that have managed to defend their Women’s League title. The first team was Hot Pool in 2009 and 2010. Since then, no team has defended the title successively, and we thank God for that and for the players’ hard work,” Kyobe said.

Mukono head into the new season as the team to beat after finishing the previous campaign with 36 points, five ahead of runners-up Skin Samona, who managed 31.

They sealed the title with a convincing 13-7 victory over Akaanya Ladies at Kampala Arena, showing their strength in the competition.

But Kyobe knows retaining the crown will require the same commitment that carried his team to successive championships.

Kyobe sticks with six-player squad

Rather than build a bigger squad, Kyobe has opted to retain six players, believing a smaller group will give everyone a better chance to compete and take responsibility.

Victoria Nantume, Rashida Mutesi, Mitchell Komugisha, Sumaiyah Namutebi, Rukia Naiga and Rose Namugerwa make up the team.

Clubs can register up to eight players, but Kyobe prefers to keep his squad small to avoid leaving players frustrated by limited playing time.

“We are maintaining a team that is not so big because you can have up to eight players, but we are keeping it at six so that we don’t have unhappy players,” he said.

“If you have many players, some won’t get the chance to play. The five start, and every match we shall have one substitution. When the number is small, the players understand the task at hand with the conviction that, ‘It’s me to do it, it’s me to take the team over the line.’ So we are doing it that way.”

However, the coach has not ruled out adding another player if the need arises. He revealed that Mukono are considering a possible recruit but declined to disclose the player’s identity, adding that the new signing might not be Ugandan.

The club also has ambitions beyond the domestic league. Kyobe wants to see his players grow individually and gain experience in international competitions.

Mukono are working to secure Sumaiyah Namutebi a place at a ladies’ tournament in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, while the entire squad hopes to compete at the Grand Muchana annual tournament in Nairobi, Kenya, in December.

The coach is also keen to see Mutesi compete in Europe, where she would get an opportunity to test herself against some of the world’s best players.

Mutesi, Naiga lead international charge

Mukono’s ambitions are backed by the growing success of their leading players on the international stage.

At the recently concluded Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships in India, Rukia Naiga won gold in women’s Blackball, while Mutesi claimed silver in women’s Heyball.

Their achievements have strengthened Uganda’s reputation in cue sports, with both players continuing to excel at continental level.

Kyobe believes Mutesi has been particularly impressive this year, having established herself among Africa’s leading female players.

“The triumph wasn’t only about them. They have been the most successful players. For Mutesi, this year she has been the best ladies’ player on the African continent,” he said.

While Naiga returned from India as the Commonwealth Blackball champion, Mutesi has also enjoyed success on the continent.

She won the All Africa Championships in January to become the African Blackball champion and later claimed the African Heyball title in Harare.

“You may argue that she has been in front of her sister Rukia Naiga, who is now the Commonwealth Blackball champion, but Mutesi is the Blackball champion on the continent,” Kyobe added.

The coach now hopes to help Mutesi compete at the Ultimate Pool Championships in Europe, with preparations aimed at making the opportunity possible next year.

“She is dominant at home and on the continent. We want her to participate in the Ultimate Pool Championships in Europe, and we are working hard on that for next year,” he said.

Women’s league opens at two venues

The new campaign begins on Sunday, October 18, with matches at Amigos in Kansanga and Adi’s Spot in Kireka.

At Amigos, Samona take on Bob Male at 11:00 a.m., while Silver Back face She Scrap Buyers at the same time.

Silver Back then play Samona at 2:00 p.m. as She Scrap Buyers meet Bob Male. The evening session features Bob Male against Silver Back and Samona against She Scrap Buyers, both scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

At Adi’s Spot, Genesis face Mukono at 11:00 a.m., while Akaanya take on Sinkers.

Genesis meet Akaanya at 2:00 p.m. as Mukono play Sinkers. At 6:00 p.m., Mukono face Akaanya before Genesis take on Sinkers.

Mukono’s Mutesi, Naiga and Namutebi will be among the players to watch, while Bob Male will look to experienced campaigners Prossy Namuli and Vicky Namuyanja to make an impact.

This is not to forget Ritah Nimusiima, Marion Kisakye and Jacinta Kajubi of She Samona. However it remains uncertain whether Mitchelle will turn out for Samona this season.

Other clubs in the women’s competition include Mukono Ladies, Skin Samona, Akaanya Ladies Pool Club, She Scrap Buyers, Bob Male and Genesis Pool Club. Akaanya use Beruga Bar in Kitintale as their home ground.

With the opening fixtures offering an early test for the contenders, Mukono will be eager to begin their title defence strongly.

Men’s league returns with Scrap Buyers still leading

While the women begin their campaign, the men’s National Pool League returns on Sunday after a break, with Scrap Buyers looking to maintain their position at the top.

Scrap Buyers have won all six of their matches to collect 18 points, scoring 81 games and conceding 39.

Club 408 are second on 18 points from eight matches, having won six and lost two. Roxberry sit third with 17 points from six matches, while Upper Volta are fourth on 16 points, also from six games.

Roxberry have won five matches and drawn one, scoring 91 games and conceding 29 for a difference of 62. They also have one bonus point.

Greater Mukono are fifth with 15 total points from eight matches, having recorded four wins, two draws and two defeats. Adi’s are sixth on 12 points after winning four and losing two.

Sinkers occupy seventh place with 10 points from seven matches, while Mbale are eighth on eight points.

Capital Night and Pot It have seven points each, sitting ninth and tenth respectively. Kireka are 11th on six total points, level with Wakiso City in 12th.

Corporate Shooters are 13th with five points from eight matches. Tororo Tigers and E-Play have three points each, while Nakawa remain bottom with two points from seven matches after six defeats and one draw.

The standings leave Scrap Buyers in a strong position, but Club 408, Roxberry and Upper Volta will be looking to close the gap as the competition resumes.

Men’s Match Day Three fixtures

The men’s league action will be spread across four venues on Sunday.

At Pot It in Najjanankumbi, Roxberry face Wakiso City and Pot It play Capital Night at 11:00 a.m. Capital Night then meet Wakiso City at 2:00 p.m., while Pot It take on Roxberry.

The final session features Wakiso City against Pot It at 6:00 p.m., followed by Roxberry versus Capital Night.

At Amigos in Kansanga, E-Play meet Tororo Tigers while Adi’s face Mbale at 11:00 a.m. Tororo Tigers then play Mbale at 2:00 p.m. as Adi’s take on E-Play.

At 6:00 p.m., Mbale face E-Play before Tororo Tigers meet Adi’s.

At Roxberry in Kiwanga, Sinkers face league leaders Scrap Buyers at 11:00 a.m., while Upper Volta take on Nakawa.

Upper Volta then meet Sinkers at 2:00 p.m. as Scrap Buyers play Nakawa. The day’s final fixture at the venue sees Scrap Buyers face Upper Volta at 6:00 p.m.

At Homebase in Kireka, the hosts take on Club 408 at 11:00 a.m. Greater Mukono face Kireka at 2:00 p.m. before Corporate Shooters meet Kireka at 6:00 p.m.

As the men’s competition resumes, Scrap Buyers will be keen to protect their lead, while their closest challengers look to keep pace.