World Pool Championships Kick Off in Marrakech
The 2026 World Pool Championships commenced on Thursday in Marrakech, Morocco, attracting around 300 players from nearly 18 countries across 24 categories. This prestigious event is organized under the auspices of the Ultimate Pool Association (UPA) and the International Eightball Pool Federation (IEPF), and it will run until September 27, featuring a myriad of competitions including team events, individual matches, doubles, and Masters categories.
The Moroccan men's team has made a notable start in the competition, showcasing their skills with a resounding victory against South Africa, finishing at 18-3. Although they faced a narrow defeat against Australia with a score of 11-10, they bounced back triumphantly, winning against La Réunion and India, both with scores of 15-6. Meanwhile, the women's team also began strongly, securing wins in their first two matches against Senegal (12-3) and Ireland (9-6). The Moroccan Over 50 team kicked off their tournament with a win against South Africa (10-5) but later fell to France (11-4).
Significance of the Event for Morocco
In a statement to MAP, Jaouad Tabit, a member of the organizing committee, highlighted the event's international significance and the organizers' commitment to providing optimal conditions for the delegations, players, and officials present in the ochre city. This championship not only showcases Morocco's capabilities in hosting international sporting events but also offers participants an environment that meets global competition standards.
Yasser Amrani, the national coach for the Moroccan billiards team, expressed the team's ambitious outlook for the competition, emphasizing their determination to defend the national colors against formidable opponents. "Our goal is to win and advance as far as possible," he stated, underscoring the Moroccan players' desire to leverage their experiences with some of the world's best teams and to honor national pride in billiards.
As reported by maroc24.com.
