Harare, Zimbabwe — 20 May 2026
The 2026 WPA African Heyball Open officially concluded in Harare, Zimbabwe, marking another historic chapter in the global expansion of Heyball and a defining moment for African cue sports.
Hosted at Munondo Eleven Events in Harare, the championship brought together elite players from across Africa, Europe, and Asia to compete in one of the continent’s most significant international cue sports events. Over four days of competition, the tournament showcased world-class talent, international diversity, and the rapid growth of Heyball across Africa.
In a landmark achievement for the continent, both the Men’s and Women’s titles were claimed by African athletes, highlighting the rising competitive strength of African Heyball on the world stage.
MEN’S DIVISION
Uganda’s Ceaser Chandiga captured the Men’s title with a commanding 7–2 victory over South Africa’s Ethan Chetty in an All-African Final.
Chandiga displayed exceptional composure and consistency throughout the event, producing a dominant performance in the championship match to secure one of the biggest victories of his career.
Men’s Final Standings
🥇 Champion — 🇺🇬 Ceaser Chandiga (Uganda)
🥈 Runner-Up — 🇿🇦 Ethan Chetty (South Africa)
🥉 Semi-Finalists — 🇬🇧 Jack Whelan (Great Britain) & 🇬🇧 Craig Brown (Great Britain)
WOMEN’S DIVISION
In the Women’s Final, Uganda’s Rashida Mutesi delivered a memorable performance to defeat Belgium’s Wendy Jans 5–4 in a thrilling championship match.
Mutesi held her nerve under pressure in a closely contested final to bring the Women’s title home to Africa, creating a historic moment for Ugandan and African cue sports.
Women’s Final Standings
🥇 Champion — 🇺🇬 Rashida Mutesi (Uganda)
🥈 Runner-Up — 🇧🇪 Wendy Jans (Belgium)
🥉 Semi-Finalists — 🇿🇦 Elzette Koen (South Africa) & 🇵🇹 Sara Rocha (Portugal)
A MILESTONE FOR AFRICAN HEYBALL
The 2026 edition represents the third consecutive year the WPA African Heyball Open has been hosted on African soil, following successful editions in Morocco (2024) and Egypt (2025). The continued success of the championship reflects the strengthening international presence of Heyball and Africa’s growing role within the sport’s global development framework.
With athletes from multiple continents competing at the highest level, the event reinforced the vision of Heyball as a truly international discipline and demonstrated the increasing competitiveness of African players on the world stage.
The successful hosting of the championship in Zimbabwe also marks another important step forward in the long-term international development strategy for Heyball and its continued pathway toward broader global recognition.
From Morocco to Egypt to Zimbabwe — the African Heyball Open continues to grow, inspire, and elevate the sport across the continent.
Final Message
Africa hosted the world.
Africa defended home soil.
Africa produced both champions.
The future of Heyball continues to shine brightly across the African continent.
#WPA #Heyball #AfricanHeyballOpen #CueSports #WorldPoolAssociation #Zimbabwe #Uganda #Harare #HeyballMovement
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