The Mauritius blackball team is currently competing in the World Championship in England, which runs from October 20 to 28, 2026. The team, led by captain Garish Gujadhur, has so far secured an eighth place finish out of 14 nations in the team event. According to Gujadhur, the team's preparation for the tournament involved extensive training sessions, often late at night or during days off, to balance work and family commitments.
Historically, Mauritius has been considered an outsider in major international blackball competitions. However, Gujadhur stated that the team was determined to change this perception and prove themselves against top nations. The team's ambition was to demonstrate their progress and compete at the same level as the best teams in the world. Gujadhur expressed satisfaction with the team's performance so far, despite suffering honorable defeats to strong teams like Malta, Wales, and Morocco.
Gujadhur described the level of competition at the World Championship as exceptionally high, with top players showcasing impressive tactical maturity, mental toughness, and skill execution. He noted that the team's victory against India was a highlight, and that they had needed time to adjust to the speed and feel of the official tournament tables and cloth. As the team continues to find their rhythm, Gujadhur is optimistic about their chances of improving their ranking.
The team's main challenge in England has been to raise their individual levels to match the intensity and precision of the world's best teams. Gujadhur emphasized the importance of teamwork and collective strategy in a team event, where unity and support are crucial to overcoming individual weaknesses. The team analyzes each opponent carefully and adapts their approach match by match.
Gujadhur compared the level of blackball in Mauritius to the World Championship, noting that the tournament represents the pinnacle of the sport. He praised the skill and consistency of top players, who have a very small margin for error. The team's goal is to continue improving their ranking in the team event and then perform well in the singles and doubles competitions.
To compete regularly at the international level, Gujadhur believes that Mauritian players need access to world-class facilities and resources. While they have a good training setup at the Emperors Pool and Snooker Club in Mauritius, the team faces challenges in obtaining employer support and financing for international travel. Gujadhur called for greater recognition and structured funding from the Ministry of Sports.
Gujadhur expressed gratitude to Mauritian fans who have been following the team's progress on social media and through live streaming. He thanked them for their encouragement and support, which has given the team strength and pride as they represent the country on the world stage.
Key points
- * The Mauritius blackball team is currently ranked eighth out of 14 nations in the team event at the World Championship. * The team's captain, Garish Gujadhur, emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collective strategy in the competition. * Gujadhur calls for greater recognition and structured funding from the Ministry of Sports to support the team's international endeavors.
