A love of playing pool has turned into a career for professional blackball player and league manager, Romita Hanuman-Pillay who continues to reach greater height in the sport. The former Verulam Secondary School learner has definitely spread her wings wide as she dove head first in many different departments such as communications, anti-human trafficking campaigner and public relations after graduating the Durban University of Technology with a Diploma in Journalism. The Tongaat and Verulam Tabloid recently sat down on the couch with Hanuman-Pillay to find out more about her and her passion for blackball.
Tongaat and Verulam Tabloid (TVT): Please tell us a bit about yourself?
Romita Hanuman-Pillay (RHP): I am happily married and don’t have any kids, however I have five rescue cats. I studied Journalism at Durban University of Technology and I am currently working in the communications space as a communications officer. I am also a human trafficking activist and quite well known in the pool fraternity.
TVT: Where did you grow up?
RHP: I grew up in Phoenix and I absolutely loved it. Many of my childhood years were spent begging my parents to purchase boyish toys like a soccer ball instead of a Barbie doll, much to their dismay, I think. I only have one beloved sibling, who now lives on in my heart as he passed way in 2017. I was and always will be a ‘tomboy’. I have always been outspoken, I love animals and I care for the environment and human rights issues.
TVT: Where did you attend school?
RHP: I schooled at Northview Primary and thereafter moved to Verulam Independent. I finished my high school career at Verulam Secondary School.
TVT: Tell us about your involvement in pool leagues in your community?
RHP: My best friend, Yovini and I used to always play pool at campus and we would often challenge the boys, who were left gobsmacked when we won, and I used to also play pool with my dad and brother in my younger years. When I met my husband, he mentioned that he plays league pool at Hotshots Pool Academy and encouraged me to join as anyone could see I have a love for the sport. Our first smooch was actually shared over a pool table! When I started playing, my mentor, Johnny Nair, quickly recognised that I also have a love for the admin side of things. I was also a whiz on social media so I thereafter started doing some marketing for the Academy. Before I knew it, I was a member of the executive and a league manager at Hotshots.
TVT: What drives your passion for this sport?
RHP: The challenge is definitely what drives me. Every game is different, every opponent is different and you cannot stick to a game plan in pool. Your situation on the pool table can change in a split second. I also love to see youngsters playing. Pool is often regarded as a bar sport but if you walk into a pool venue on a league night, players are dressed professionally in a collared shirt, formal pants and formal shoes. We also have affiliations to the provincial and national structure. This alone will tell you that we take the sport very seriously.
TVT: How long have you been involved in this sport?
RHP: It’s been about seven years
TVT: Pool, being a male dominated sport, what is your advice for women who enjoy playing pool and want to take it further?
RHP: Go for it!!! For me, the games I enjoy most are the ones with the opposite sex. It is quite satisfying to see them squirm a bit because the sport is male dominated. However, things are changing.
TVT: What are some of your greatest personal achievements?
RHP: My greatest personal achievement is my family. My parents, husband and pets are the centre of my life and I would not have it any other way. I have achieved a great deal in pool, running leagues at Hotshots, major tournaments and being at the centre of the sport. Perhaps my greatest achievement in the pool space is being part of the executive of my club and this led me to be elected on the national and provincial executive structures of blackball in South Africa. I have also played in the national championships on numerous occasions and to represent your province is another level of amazing. i am actually playing at this years nationals as well in Gold Reef City.
TVT: What are your interests and hobbies?
RHP: Well, pool is my number one hobby. I also love soccer, I ardently support Manchester United and I love playing with my fur-babies. I also love extreme sport.
TVT: What does a day in your life look like?
RHP: Hectic! Sometimes I don’t even know how I do it. I would not trade it for anything in the world, though. My days are filled with planning and executing communications activities, social media, writing articles, marketing etc. My nights are usually dedicated to league. I also have responsibilities as I am the Marketing Co-ordinator for Blackball South Africa so it is quite crazy.
TVT: What is a place you’ve always wanted to visit and what would you like to do there?
RHP: Alcataraz Prison in San Fransisco. I have always taken a weird interest in the incarceration space, most often than not, you would find me watching crime documentaries. I would love to visit the place where the most brazen prison escape took place.
TVT: What are some of your favourite movies?
RHP: I love horror movies and I watch a lot of Bollywood movies as well. A bread girl at heart, I guess 12
TVT: Who is your role model and why?
RHP: My parents are my role models. They did not have the easiest life but they created and nurtured a family with values that encapsulated love, discipline, morals and values. They gave my sibling and I the best life and I will forever be grateful to them. They have taught me perseverance, humility and most of all, love and kindness.
TVT: What is your message to women in South Africa?
RHP: Own it, girlfriend! Women need to realise that it is very important to love yourself first, before attempting to love anyone else. You are the most important person in your life and you best not forget that.
TVT: Lastly, tell us more about your 20k pool league and why did you see a need to create this being a founder?
RHP: A lot has been going on in the pool space recently. I saw an opportunity to create a league for players that offers them the comfort of choice and the prize money is a whopping R20 000. I am looking forward to starting this league as it will be played all year, with team and singles events. I would like to thank my sponsors for their faith in me, it is really heartwarming to be recognised on an international level. We have not yet closed registration so if anyone wants to play blackball, the league will be happening at Players in Verulam. This league is affiliated to KwaZulu-Natal Blackball Association and the Blackball South Africa Structure. This means that players have the chance to ultimately go abroad to play the world championships. Contact me on 071 812 3705.
