Commission queries CRPL silence
The Central Region Pool League (CRPL) is yet to act on a report that established elements of match-fixing in games involving Sunset Club and Seige, Weekend Nation has learnt.
CRPL chairperson Robert Gama, who also owns Sunset Club, said they do not agree with the findings of the report because the commission did not follow proper procedures during its investigations.
“The commission was supposed to work as a team and not as individuals. The report lacks credibility and that is why we cannot act on it. It is mostly hearsay,” said Gama.
The report seen by Weekend Nation, shows that S5 Pool Club lodged a complaint to CRPL on December 26 2012, complaining about match-fixing involving the 2012 league champions Sunset’s 7-5 victory against Siege at Gulliver.
Sunset players are alleged to have given money to Siege players to influence the result.
The findings established that while Sunset were losing the game 5-2, they paid all the Siege remaining players to claim victory.
Gama insisted that Sunset were not losing the game as alleged by S5.
“In fact, Sunset were leading 5-2 and Sunset did not play the last frame, which led to Siege being awarded the points for that game,” said Gama.
According to the report, when questioned by the commission, both Gama and Herbert Thumpwa denied giving money to Siege players.
Chairperson of the commission Kennedy Kalilombe described the report as credible and that he finds it strange that the executive committee is failing to act on the findings.
“We duly submitted the report which showed that there were elements of match-fixing, but up to now no action has been taken. We are just waiting,” said Kalilombe.
S5 coach Justin Sulumba also expressed surprise that no action has been taken, saying the reason might be because the CRPL executive members are implicated.
“We were suspicious of the way the game was played. We also got tips that some players were given money that is the reason we lodged a complaint. This is not good for the game of pool,” said Sulumba.
The league has 26 teams and Sunset finished first with 110 points and will get K140 000 (about $411), Top-level are second with 109 points and will get K80 000 (about $235) while S5 Club are third with 107, and will pocket K60 000 (about $176).
Gama said last season’s winners will receive their prizes soon, saying further investigations can still be carried out even after the presentation.
“We delayed [prize presentation] because of the inquiry, but now we do not want everything to stop because of this. CRPL business must go on,” he said.
