Alfred Gumikiriza retires from national pool team

The Pool Cranes have started training for the Africa Pool Championships set for Lusaka Zambia but without Alfred ‘Blacksheep’ Gumikiriza who announced his retirement from the national team.

The flamboyant former National Pool Open champion made the decision in order to give other younger players the opportunity to represent the country seeing as he has decided to invest his time in other ventures.

“I have immensely enjoyed my time playing with the national team since 2005 and have had great satisfaction in taking on the challenges given to me. The position of captain nurtured me with many great leadership skills, moved me places and I made countless interpersonal relationships and many memories that I appreciate and will stay with me forever,” official communication from the player said.

The former national team captain beat cancer of the leg a year ago and has cited the pandemic as one of the reasons for his decision to leave the national team preparations.

“Unfortunately circumstances ranging from the effects of the global pandemic, the opening of my new pool arena and the urge to offer the new crop in the sport a platform for the team's continuity have halted me,” he commented.

He remains focused on helping the national team in whichever way he can but not as a player on the team.

The national team is coached by Nathan Bwankonsya who will look at both teams in small sections and make the final decision when the time is right.