Johannesburg – South Africa’s 41-year-old Beatrice Monyake has won the 2022 World Blackball Championship in Morocco.
The woman from Soweto represented South Africa well at the event in Tangier, which ended at the weekend.
In total Monyake won medals in three categories including Gold – Singles; Silver – SA Team; and Bronze – Doubles.
Monyake was part of the team that flew the South African flag against some of the world’s best from the US, Spain, Tunisia, Zambia, Ireland, Australia, and England.
However, behind the success lies a sad fact – Monyake, like all other South Africans, had to pay for flights, accommodation, and food.
The Soweto mother nearly failed to make the trip because she had to raise about R50 000 for flight tickets, food, and accommodation from October 5 to 17.
Contestants from other countries were fully funded by their governments.
Commenting on her wonderful achievement, Monyake said “I am super excited about my achievement and overall performance at the World Blackball Championship
“It was not an easy feat considering the resource challenges as I had to raise the funds to go there.
“However that did deter me as I knew that given the chance, I will come back with the winner’s medal.
“I am proud of myself and I hope this will basically motivate others to take this sport seriously, and go after what they believe is their dream.”
New Pool champion Monyake, who works for City Power in Johannesburg, urged the SA government to support the game.
“It’s always an honour when I am called to represent my country at international Pool events,” said Monyake.
“But it’s a struggle as the game is not properly recognized and sponsored to enable those taking part to get support and sponsorships, even though we carry the country’s emblem and flag high in these events.
“My wish is for the government and private sectors to come on board and rally behind us to ensure we make our country proud at the international competitions.
“Pool is already a popular sport in the country, especially in poor suburbs and villages, and government support to grow this and professionalise it may actually assist in other social ills like poverty, crime, and unemployment.”
Initially, Monyake started playing pool as a hobby in 2007 in Orlando East, Soweto.
Since then she has won many competitions around Soweto and Johannesburg.
Monyake is the current reigning Soweto Ladies Champion.
Earlier this year in March, Monyake represented South Africa at the Africa Pool Championship Cup in Zambia, where she finished 5th in the whole of Africa.
