HARARE, Apr. 16 (NewsDay Live) – A US$17 000 prize fund has raised the stakes for this year’s Queens International pool tournament, with Queens Sports Club set to host the fourth edition from May 23 to 25 as top African players converge for one of the continent’s fastest-growing competitions.
Launched in 2022 as a modest initiative to bring together international players, the tournament has quickly evolved into a major event on Africa’s sporting calendar, attracting elite competitors and steadily elevating the standard of the game.
Its roll of honour reflects that rise. Jeremiah Naido won the inaugural title in 2022, followed by Ceaser Chandinga in 2023, while Aden Joseph claimed the 2025 crown after a gruelling campaign.
All three champions are expected to return this year, setting up a potential “clash of kings” as each targets a historic second title.
Tournament founder Tawanda Mupenzwa said the competition has surpassed expectations.
“We started this in 2022 to bring together international players and showcase quality matches, but it has outgrown our original vision. Interest from across Africa has been overwhelming,” he said.
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Entry for the 2026 edition has been capped to maintain high standards, with 32 players in the Masters category, 96 in the main division and 48 in the ladies’ section.
Participants from nine African countries are expected, underlining the event’s growing continental appeal.
Among the contenders is Shaun Kelvin Fikoti, alongside emerging talents aiming to upset established names.
Beyond competition, the tournament has become a platform for international visibility and local economic activity, reinforcing the host city’s capacity to stage major sporting events.
Queens Sports Club president Ntuthuko Henford Gabellah said the event reflects the sport’s transformation.
“What was once dismissed as a bar-room pastime has evolved into a fully recognised sport. To see Africa’s finest talent converging here is validation of that progress. This is no longer just a competition; it’s a movement,” he said.
With anticipation building, the fourth edition of the Queens International is set to deliver a high-quality showcase, further cementing its place on Africa’s sporting calendar.