Another Mayez Pool tournament for Bulawayo

Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
THE Bulawayo Provincial Pool Association (BPPA) is set to host another tournament in the city on September 18.

BPPA successfully hosted two major events in the pool calendar recently.

The up-and-coming tournament is the Win and Ride Mayez Under 21 Competition and is scheduled to be played at Queens Sports Club.

Speaking to Chronicle Sports, BPPA President Fortune Tawengwa said they came up with the idea of having an U21s tournament as a way of getting youths off the streets.

“It’s a deliberate ploy to prepare that group which is still teachable and still developing in the game to step into the real world of pool where they will rub shoulders with seasoned and experienced players,” said Tawengwa.

He added: “This group is so vulnerable to social ills affecting society so by staging Mayez U21s, it’s a way of keeping them busy and taking them away from the streets where they are exposed to HIV/Aids and drugs.”

The tournament is named Win and Ride as the winner will be awarded a mountain bike and free entry in the Mayez Open.

50 players are expected to participate.

Tawengwa also believes that the youngsters won’t face any difficulties when playing against their seniors in open tournaments as they would have the experience of competing.

“We have noticed that it is difficult for players under 21 to win major tournaments because of the level of competition when tournaments are open to everyone, a winning mentality is achieved through winning and taking away stiffer competition gives them a chance to win and prepares them psychologically as players,” said Tawengwa.

According to Tawengwa, they are also trying to do away with the stereotype that pool is a sport for drunkards as most pool tables are found in bars and they are also trying to market the game to women in their bid of trying to spread it to everyone.

“As Mayez, we have partnered Masters Billiards which provides family friendly venues where no alcohol is permitted and this allows all age groups to partake

“We have been marketing the game to the girl child by sponsoring ladies to play tournaments and we have also been active with tertiary institutions to have the game played in Zusa games and with more friendly centres, who knows, in a few years with the necessary support we will have the sport in schools,” said Tawengwa.

The tournament will also be used for talent scouting which will boost the level of competitiveness in pool.

“That’s where we see upcoming talent and we recognise them, we can be competitive as a nation when we catch them young,” Tawengwa added.