From a recreational sport to earning money: Inside Nakuru's pool table culture

There is a new trend in Nakuru that is quickly becoming popular among young people.

This is the pool table games that appears to have gone from a gambling activity to a recreational mainstream sport. 

The growing interest has led to significant changes, including the emergence of tournaments organised by various clubs across the city.

Several local clubs are taking advantage of this trend by organising tournaments with attractive prizes. In the past three months, three major clubs in Nakuru have held competitive events to capitalise on the growing enthusiasm for the sport.

Chol Riak, an avid pool player, points out that many players face challenges in monetising their talent.

"Most players enjoy the game recreationally at clubs and local spots in residential areas, but few see it as a way to make a living. With more tournaments, young players are starting to realise the opportunities the sport offers," Chol explains.

He believes that if the sport continues to grow, it could attract national team scouts to Nakuru, creating opportunities for talented players.

"This cultural shift can also help change the perception of billiards," Chol adds. "Many parents still see it as a gambling activity, with players often labelled as lazy or even criminals. But as the sport gains credibility, especially among younger generations, these misconceptions are likely to fade".

Chol also highlights the economic benefits of the growing pool scene. He believes that as the sport flourishes, Nakuru could attract more organisations looking to host events, which would in turn support related industries such as billiard equipment manufacturing, professional tournaments and hospitality services.

Steve Mwangi, Marketing Manager at Wave XO, has a similar view. He explains that their club organised a tournament to showcase Nakuru's talent and build a competitive team. "We noticed a gap in the pool scene and hosting a tournament allowed us to select a team and promote the sport at the same time," says Steve. He hopes that future tournaments will not only bring more local players into the spotlight, but also strengthen the sport's presence in Nakuru.

Ian Chasimba, representing Space Next Door, says they decided to host a pool tournament after noticing a surge in interest from their customers. "We wanted to give our customers a platform to compete and win while building a sense of community around the sport," says Ian.