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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Metropolitan Province players are ready to conquer at the 2018 edition of the Carling Black Label National Pool Tournament final to be played today at Raylton Sports Club.
Ten players, six men and four women will represent the province in their respective categories which will see a total of 96 players battling it out for the top honours. Sixty-four men and 32 women drawn from the country’s 10 provinces, will compete at the premier pool tournament.
Defending women’s champion Priscila Chisoro will lead Bulawayo women’s team made up of Christine Sengwe, Ntombikayise Lunga and Thandiwe Sibanda.
The men’s team hoping to make a mark at the games played before their home fans has veteran, Darlington Dziko, Tafadzwa Mushangwe, Lloyd Nyaveva, Takaendesa Covenant, Emmanuel Rapasi and Lance Ndlovu.
“Our players are raring to go and as the hosts, we are confident that our representatives will do well at the national final. Everyone is geared up and they’ve been working hard preparing for the final,” said Farai Nyandoro, Bulawayo Pool Association’s spokesperson.
Tournament sponsors have spiced up the prizes for this year’s edition, with the winners in the men and women’s categories set to go away with branded pool tables and $1 000.
A quick online search shows that pool tables cost between $1 500 and $2 500.
The national pool association president Godknows Marawanyika thanked Delta Beverages for their continued partnership and believes the introduction of pool tables to the prizes will make the event competitive.
“The Carling Black Label National Pool Tournament final is the ultimate competition on our calendar and it is special in the sense that every pool player in the country wants to participate in it. We had over 1 500 players competing during the provincial qualifiers, an indication that the sport is growing. Thanks to Delta Beverages, their support has been key in our thrust to develop pool in the country. We’ve seen the game grow and now with this kind support and the pool tables on offer, we expect a more competitive final,” said Marawanyika.
In last year’s edition held at Manicaland Motoring Club in Mutare, Obedience Nyaumwe and Chisoro reigned supreme in the men’s and women’s events.
Nyaumwe, who competed under Chitungwiza, defeated Paul Taderera 2-0 in the final.
Chisoro of Bulawayo came from one nil down to overcome Emma Chirebvu 2-1 in the women’s final.
Nyaumwe and Chisoro each walked away with $1 000, a trophy, cue stick and three cases of Carling Black Label. — @ZililoR
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