KHS learner set for Nations Cup of Pool in United Kingdom

KNYSNA NEWS - A Grade 10 learner at Knysna High School has been chosen to represent South Africa at the European Blackball Association (EBA) Nations Cup of Pool, which takes place in the UK in April.

Sixteen-year-old Iminathi Gxala achieved the honour when playing in the SA Blackball Federation's (SABF) National Juniors U-15 and U-18 Championship, which was held from 30 June to 4 July last year, at the SABF's Pool International venue, in Cape Town.

Second place

He won second place in the U-18 category at the event, and was chosen by the SABF - an affiliate of the SA Confederation of Cue Sport - to represent the country in the U-18 section of the EBA Nations Cup of Pool, to be held in Bridlington, England from 13 to 16 April.

Iminathi, who completed Grade 9 at Trinity School in Knysna last year - "I excelled in natural science and maths" - says at one stage he played soccer and pool, but began focusing entirely on pool.

'Grew up playing it'

"Pool's my favourite sport because I grew up playing it - from the age of six. I started playing pool in PE (Gqeberha), in Motherwell, at my friend's place. He had a table in his father's garage, at their house.

"I moved from PE to Knysna when I started Grade 3. From the age of seven, I've had a pool table at my house in Knysna, and I decided to keep myself busy by playing pool, as a hobby.

'Self-discipline'

"I've learnt to stay calm while playing, and I've developed a lot of skill, and self-discipline.

"I've got to meet new people when playing at different venues, and I've got to learn more skills from players more advanced than me."

Iminathi's father, Vuvu Ralushe, a well-known singer of Khayalethu, Knysna, says Iminathi "is a self-motived young person hoping to positively influence more of our country's youth through his pool talent".

"He is vehemently against drug abuse and is very aware that drugs cause people to do bad things."

Needs to raise R43 900

Ralushe, who works for a cruise line, says he needs to raise R43 900 to enable Iminathi to compete in the Nations Cup of Pool. The amount "includes accommodation and travel costs".