Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
THE Bulawayo Provncial Pool Association (BPPA) is set to spring back into action this weekend with the resumption of league matches and the eagerly anticipated BPPA Cup Round of 16, promising an exciting period for cue sport enthusiasts across the city.
Following a short break, all BPPA leagues will officially resume on Saturday, with clubs returning to competitive action as they continue their pursuit of league honours.
However, the spotlight will quickly shift to the prestigious BPPA Cup competition, whose round of 16 matches are scheduled for Sunday.
The knockout tournament has long been regarded as one of the association’s premier events, offering clubs an opportunity to showcase their talent and battle for cup glory.
The road to the last-16 clashes begins on Thursday evening when the official BPPA Cup draw is conducted at Golden Pillars at 6pm. Club representatives have been urged to attend the live draw, which is expected to generate significant interest among players and supporters alike.
In a move aimed at enhancing competitiveness and ensuring smooth organisation, BPPA officials have outlined strict hosting requirements for venues wishing to stage the Round of 16 fixtures.
The tournament’s last-16 matches will be spread across four venues, with potential hosts required to provide a minimum of two pool tables to qualify. Venue allocation will be conducted on a first-come, first-serve basis among establishments that meet the stipulated standards. Successful hosts will also be required to pay a hosting fee of US$20.
The association has also moved to reinforce fairness and transparency by appointing independent referees to officiate all BPPA Cup matches, a development expected to guarantee impartiality throughout the knockout stages.
The resumption of league action and the return of cup competition come at a crucial stage of the season, with clubs eager to build momentum and make their mark both in league and knockout action.
With rivalries set to be renewed, the atmosphere surrounding Bulawayo’s pool scene is expected to reach fever pitch this weekend as players battle for valuable league points on Saturday before turning their attention to the high-stakes BPPA Cup Round of 16 on Sunday.
Pool followers will now eagerly await Thursday’s draw at Golden Pillars, which will determine the match-ups in what promises to be a thrilling chapter of the 2026 BPPA season.-@FungaiMuderere
