The lone female team, the Devil's Angels, which will participate in the upcoming Kingston Beer/Pool Tables and Billiards Supplies Limited Ultimate Pool Tournament, strike a pose at the recent launch. From left: Grace Chingsang-Letts, Marina Ramkissoon, Chyann Nichol, Ruth Salmon (captain), Nicky Lawrence and Francine Cardoza. Sponsored by Pool Tables and Billiards Supplies, the team will play their matches at Hot Shots Pool Bar, 103 Constant Spring Road. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
ALL-FEMALE pool outfit, the Devil's Angels, are among the many teams and clubs which will take part in the inaugural Kingston Beer Ultimate All-Island Pool Tournament (eight ball) scheduled to start this month with total sponsorship of $1.5 million.
Details for the five-a-side tournament, which will also facilitate a singles competition, were outlined by representatives of Kingston Pilsner Beer and co-sponsors, Pool Tables and Billiards Supplies Limited at Monday night's launch at the Indigo Bar and Brassiere, 120a Constant Spring Road, Mary Brown's Corner.
Speaking on behalf of Kingston Beer, Trishauna Kirlew, brand associate, said this marks the first tournament of its kind in Jamaica.
Noting that many bars across the island have pool tables, Kirlew said this is "a tremendous opportunity for pool players to showcase their skills, at the same time creating possible opportunities for Jamaica to become major contenders in the respected international pool arena," she said.
Opportunity to interact
Continuing, Kirlew said Kingston Beer continues to be one of the most sought after beers from Negril to Morant Point thus "these all-island events gives us an opportunity to compete together and interact with our customers in an energised and relaxed environment".
Damion Fletcher, representing Pool Tables and Billiards Supplies, said many pool bars and individual players were looking forward to this lucrative tournament.
"What was lacking before was that special push to take the game to another level," said Fletcher.
Also speaking was tournament director, Leslie 'Toothpick' Puranda, who noted that the game has grown since the visit of the world's top-ranked female player, Allison Fisher, to Jamaica two years ago.
Meanwhile, the lone female team is hoping to make its mark in the tournament, according to captain Ruth Salmon, the top female player in the island for the past 10 years.
Lone female team
In addition to Salmon, the team includes Nicky Lawrence, Francine Cardoza, Grace Chingsang-Letts, Marina Ramkissoon and Chyann Nichol.
The proprieter of Indigo Club, Anthony Smith, said they have entered two teams. Indigo I will be captained by Albert Chung and Indigo 2 by Alex Chin.
The winning team will receive a whopping $200,000 in addition to the championship trophy, second $100,000 and trophy, third $50,000 and trophy, fourth $25,000. Zone winners will receive $10,000 each. Entry fee is $10,000 per club, each of which will field a maximum of seven players and a minimum of five.
In the singles championship, the winner will receive $75,000 and trophy, second $50,000 and trophy, third $25,000 and trophy, fourth $15,000 and players finishing from fifth to eighth place, $5,000 each. Entry fee is $500 for players who have entered the club tournament, $2,000 for others.
Closing date for entries has been extended to Friday, October 24.
