POLOKWANE – Excitement is running high after it was announced that 13 players of the local Mimosa Blackball Club were chosen to compete in the 2025/26 South African Blackball Championships that will be hosted at Suncoast Casino in Ethekwini, Kwa-Zulu Natal from April 12-25.

They will form part of the 20 members’ Limpopo team.

This prestigious continental event, hosted by Blackball South Africa, brings together provincial teams and elite players from across South Africa to compete in high-level discipline.

More than just a tournament, the championship celebrates skill, sportsmanship and the growth of cue sports across the continent, offering players the opportunity to compete on an international stage and earn continental recognition.

“Whoever does well will make the SA team for the world championships that will take place in the UK in October this year, and we are hoping to have some players from our club that will represent Limpopo Blackball in the SA team,” spokesperson for Mimosa, Charlie Vorster said.

He added that the world championships take place every second year and in 2024, Limpopo Blackball had players making the SA team for the Blackball World Championships.

According to Vorster, Mimosa will have representation in the socials, masters, men’s, ladies and senior categories.

“We are also looking to develop u/18 players; unfortunately, it’s difficult because when you look at pool it is a bar sport or seen as a bar sport and we are hoping to get a place where our u/18s can plan away from the bars.

“Those are things that we are hoping to achieve in the next three years so that we can have more growth in our development structures,” Vorster explained.

“All players that are representing Limpopo Blackball will receive their kits at the championships and the cost for a team excluding travel and food is around R30 000. We are not funded by government and expenses are mostly self-funded or obtained from private or business donations or sponsorships and this year, Limpopo Blackball Pool received donations from BB Ford Polokwane and PP Fuel and it is truly appreciated,” Vorster said.

Vorster invited the public to follow the club’s activities on social media, Facebook.

“We will be bringing you live action from all our events, including nationals,” Vorster said.