Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub [email protected]
THE Bulawayo Province Pool Association (BPPA) has shut the door on late registrations ahead of the new season, fixing February 25 as a hard deadline for clubs to submit player forms.
Secretary general Nomore Muzvidziwa said on Sunday that the association will not process any paperwork after that date, a stance aimed at stabilising a league that has battled late compliance and fixture disruptions in recent seasons.
“Player registration closes on the 25th of February. All forms must be with the secretary general by close of business that Wednesday. There will be no extension,” Muzvidziwa said.
The clampdown comes days before competition begins. League matches are set to start on February 28, aligned to the Zimbabwe Pool Association (Zipa) calendar, with a teams season opener tournament pencilled in for February 21 and 22. Muzvidziwa said the full programme will be released by February 21 and all registered teams are expected to take part in the opening event.
Financial compliance has also been spelt out. Club registration and player affiliation fees have been set at US$300 for a squad of 15 players. Any player added beyond that number will attract a US$5 fee.
Affiliation payments will be split. Clubs must pay US$150 by February 28, 2026, with the balance due by April 30, 2026. Muzvidziwa warned that failure to meet the schedule will result in an automatic walkover. Banking details, he said, will be circulated to clubs.
Each registered player will also be required to pay levies to Zipa and the Sports and Recreation Commission at rates set by the national body. Muzvidziwa said the end of year prize structure and the league budget will be shared by February 21.
On the table as well is a shift in how matches are played. The association will use a 9×2 format this season, a resolution taken at the BPPA annual general meeting held last week at Raylton Sports Club. Teams will be allowed one minute of coaching time per frame, once per team, and every team must have a stopwatch at matches.
Structural changes to the league have been shaped by last season’s numbers. With only 14 teams competing in 2025, the BPPA council resolved not to relegate any side this year. Instead, district champions and runners up will gain automatic promotion to expand the provincial league to 20 teams.
Relegation will return in 2026, with the league trimming back to 14 teams from a constitutional cap of 16. Muzvidziwa said previous promotions had stalled after district teams failed to take up places for various reasons, a pattern the council wants to end.
“Going forward we have put strict measures in place to make sure promoted teams and players actually proceed to the provincial league. It’s important that everyone supports this position,” he said.
