adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
TOP bowler Mike Eaton has had quite a remarkable sporting career spanning over four decades. For 45 years, Eaton has managed to stay on top of his game as he established himself as a top athlete. He has been enjoying a lot of success in bowls of late but long before he decided on taking to the greens, Eaton had also represented Zimbabwe in two other sporting disciplines.
He played table tennis and squash before turning to bowling.
Eaton captained the Zimbabwe national table tennis team between 1982 and 1988.
He was also one of the country’s best squash players in the ‘80s.
Recently he was crowned king of the greens at the National Champion of Champions in bowling and, with his teammates, won three bronze medals at the Africa States bowls tournament in Namibia.
“I love sport and I had a very enjoyable season. It was a good year on the bowling greens although competitive and I feel the will to win is a very important factor in achieving one’s goals,” said Eaton.
“I have played competitive sport for the past 45 years and I have got wonderful memories of that. I had great opportunities, I have traveled extensively in all the disciplines I have represented my country.
“During those years, I have met many wonderful people, including some of my very good friends. The challenge of participating in various sporting disciplines has been awesome.”
But is the game of bowling, which has been played since 1902 in Zimbabwe, on the verge of dying? That is the question facing those who love bowling.
Eaton, who has been involved since 2007, says the sport is alive and well in Zimbabwe.
The Alexandra Sports Club champion feels the future of bowling is secure as a whole new generation of players is coming on board at various bowling clubs, and among them are athletes still in school.
“I feel that bowls is coming to life each month because in almost all the clubs in Zimbabwe there are new players,” said Eaton.
“Bowling is a good sport and one of my favourites and seeing new players coming to play makes me feel proud. This year we had a Prince Edward School bowler taking part and winning a medal.
“It was really a great season.”
Aaron Chilandu, a teenager from Prince Edward who is a new player to the sport, was awarded the Most Promising Player award while Eaton grabbed the Personality Player of the Year award at the bowls end-of-year event.
Chilandu plays for City Bowling Club.
“Determination is very important for one to achieve his/her goals in sport and players like Chilandu are very strong and talented and in the future he might be the country’s top bowler.
“Generally, I enjoined this season and I am looking forward to next season,” said Eaton.
Mike Eaton Success in bowling
Year first started Bowling: 2007
Outdoor Club Name: Alexandra Sports Club.
Eaton Bowls Achievements:
2008 won the National Fours-Gold,
2010 Mashonaland Provincial Trips-gold
2011 Bob Mitchell Fives-Gold
2011 Nationals Pairs – Sliver,
2012 Mashonaland Inter-Club Fours
2012 Club Singles Champion of Champions – Gold
2013 National Champion of Champions- Gold
2013 Africa States – Gold, 2013 Africa States –Bronze X3
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter