adminMehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
HARARE-based mechanic Blessing Chatoma was last Saturday crowned the Carling Black Label National Pool champion after defeating last year’s winner Tendai Mubaiwa by two frames to nil in the men’s final held at The Barn in Gweru.
The 24-year-old Chatoma expressed delight in his conquest especially considering that it was over the champion from last year’s national tournament held in Raylton Sports Club in Bulawayo. He was glad to triumph because he believes his play had gone down in the build up to the national competition due to lack of training.
“I am so happy because I had too many losses of late, my play was going down because I was not training much these days.
The prize money will help me cover a few things at home,’’ said Chatoma after his victory.
In the women’s section, Charity Ncube of Kadoma took the honours by defeating Patience Pasipamire 2-0 in the deciding match.
Chatoma and Ncube each walked away with cash prizes of $1 000, cue sticks and a case of Carling Black Label. Mubaiwa and Pasipamire walked away with $600 apiece accompanied by cue sticks and a case of Carling Black Label.
Delta Beverages marketing manager Patricia Murambinda, southern region sales manager Hector Muchuchu and Zimbabwe Pool Association president Trust Chifadza handed over the prizes to the winners.
The Carling Black Label National Pool finals, the premier event for the sport brought together the most excellent players in the sport from all the country’s 10 provinces to test their skills against each other. The venue was a hive of activity for most parts of the day with players and officials freely partaking in their favourite beverages which were provided for free by the sponsors, Delta Beverages. By the time of the crowning ceremony a lot of players and officials were in their own world.
Also conducted at the venue of the tournament was the draw for Carling Black National Pool Promotion where eight pool tables were won by consumers of the beer brand.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter