adminAssociation organising secretary, Lethukuthula Nkomo said the assistance will go a long way in motivating the teams, made up of 36 men and women.
“As the host province, we have quite a lot that needs to be done so that the tournament is a success,” said Nkomo.
Bulawayo has assembled very strong teams and Nkomo is confident they will win the tournament.
Each province is allowed to field three men and two ladies’ teams but as hosts, Bulawayo have been allowed to have six teams.
Bulawayo’s first team has top players like Bosso’s Jackson Ndimande, Nkululeko Ncube, Railstars’ Patrick Zimidzi, Brian Ndlovu of Archers, Tapera Makado of Unit Fairbridge and Old Nic Mine’s Moses Ndlovu.
Sheron Sitsha of Highlanders, Nancy Mlambo of Parkview Kanka and Susan Chizema of Maison Nic are some of the players in the ladies’ first team.
With the championship being used as a selection meet for the Zone Six tournament to be held in South Africa, young Albert Tawanda, who plays for Highlanders, will fancy his chances of making it to the Under-25 Zimbabwe team.
“I will try my level best to make sure I make it into the national team,” said Tawanda, a National University of Science and Technology student.
Preparations for the tournament are at an advanced stage with eight provinces, Bulawayo, Matabeleland South, Midlands, Masvingo, Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East having confirmed their participation.
National Darts Association of Zimbabwe president Meynard Moyo said 17 men and 10 ladies’ teams have been registered but the number is expected to increase as the championships dates draw closer.
“All players and officials should be at the venue by 7pm on 5 April. Official opening will be at 8.30am the following day. We expect competition to be very stiff since this tournament will determine who will qualify for the main trials for the Zone Six Darts Championships to be held in Pretoria, South Africa from 28 August to 2 September.
For one to be considered for the main trials, the player should be ranked in the top 15 in the men’s and top 10 in the ladies’ categories. The best players will then be selected from this group,” said Moyo.
Meanwhile, Railstars stunned Archers 22-17 in a Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Darts Association League match played at Raylton Sports Club on Wednesday evening. Following the defeat, Archers who have been on top of the log, dropped to fourth position.
At Highlanders Sports Club, a Bosso walloped Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe 31-8 while champions Ah-Sat handed visiting Zimbabwe Saints a similar scoreline.
Results:
Highlanders 31, CAAZ 8; F/Bridge 28, Bellevue 11; Railsters 22, Archers 17; Parkview Lions 20, Parkview Kanka 19; Old Nic Mine 21, Maison Nic 18; ZRP (Byo) 30, Zenzele 9; Ah Sat 31 Zimbabwe Saints 8.
Online Reporter