All Africa Pool Association

Africa Raises the Bar at the 2026 African Heyball Open

The 2026 WPA African Heyball Open will be remembered as a landmark event in the continued growth of cue sports across the African continent. Held from 17–20 May 2026 at Munondo Eleven Events in Harare, Zimbabwe, the championship brought together some of the world's finest Heyball players to compete for a total prize fund of USD 116,000, making it one of the richest cue sports events ever staged in Africa.

The tournament attracted elite men and women from Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond, showcasing the increasing global appeal of Heyball while reaffirming Africa's ability to host world-class sporting events. Over four days, spectators witnessed exceptional skill, tactical brilliance and thrilling matches that highlighted the rapid development of the sport across the continent.

Championship Winners

The 2026 African Heyball Open crowned champions across four divisions:

  • Men's Champion: Ceaser Chandiga (Uganda) – defeated Ethan Chetty (South Africa) 7–2 in the final.
  • Women's Champion: Rashida Mutesi (Uganda) – defeated Wendy Jans (Belgium) 5–4 in a thrilling final.
  • Under-18 Boys Champion: Khalid Gaffer (Egypt).
  • Under-18 Girls Champion: Tshepiso Kgarume (South Africa).

These outstanding performances highlighted the depth of talent within African Heyball and reinforced the continent's emergence as a force on the international stage.

One of the tournament's defining moments came in the men's division, where Uganda's Ceaser Chandiga produced a dominant performance throughout the championship before defeating South Africa's Ethan Chetty 7–2 in an all-African final. Chandiga's victory marked one of the biggest achievements of his career and served as a proud moment for African cue sports, proving that the continent continues to produce players capable of competing at the highest level.

The women's competition was equally captivating, with Uganda's Rashida Mutesi edging Belgium's Wendy Jans 5–4 in a closely contested final to claim the women's crown. Meanwhile, Khalid Gaffer of Egypt and Tshepiso Kgarume of South Africa captured the junior boys' and girls' titles respectively, demonstrating the bright future of African Heyball.

Zimbabwe also had plenty to celebrate. As hosts, the country delivered an outstanding event that earned praise from players, officials and international federations. Beyond the organisation, Zimbabwean athletes impressed on home soil, with three women reaching the last 16 and earning prize money, demonstrating the country's growing strength in Heyball.

The success of the championship extended beyond the competition tables. The event showcased Africa's capacity to organise major international sporting events through the combined efforts of the World Pool Association (WPA), the All Africa Pool Association (AAPA), local organisers, volunteers, referees, sponsors and media partners. Their collaboration created a professional tournament environment that was broadcast to audiences around the world, further increasing the visibility of African cue sports.

As the final balls were pocketed and the champions crowned, the 2026 African Heyball Open left a lasting legacy. It inspired a new generation of players, strengthened international partnerships and reinforced Africa's growing influence within the global Heyball community.

The tournament was more than just a championship—it was a celebration of excellence, unity and the bright future of cue sports in Africa. With its successful hosting in Harare, the 2026 WPA African Heyball Open has set a new benchmark for future editions and demonstrated that Africa is ready to continue playing a leading role in the worldwide expansion of Heyball.