adminTadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
FOR the past 33 years, 53-year-old Patricia Ganya has attempted, in vain, to capture the ultimate individual accolade in Pool-the Carling Black Label title.
She has been frustrated each time she has made it into the national championship finals.
But she has never lost heart and on Saturday her patience finally paid dividends after romping to victory in Masvingo.
Of course, the Chitungwiza Tigers player had to do it the hard way, accounting for Alice Chihota in a tense shootout following a strenuous final that had many spectators glued on the table.
One would feel Ganya, who has won several titles in her long career, somehow deserved the big prize after defying stereotypes associated with females playing this game.
Her situation was worse when she started playing pool when she was hardly 19-years-old.
But she was lucky to find a husband who backed her passion and helped her pull through the storm.
Through her consistent earnings from winning several tournaments, Ganya has been able to send all her three children to school.
But it is the Carling Black Label gong that has been missing from her laden trophy cabinet.
And on Saturday, she collected herself on her way to capture gold along with a pool table and US$1500 courtesy of sponsors Delta Beverages.
“My prayer has always been the same. I wanted to win the Carling Black Label trophy but I have been failing.
“You would feel you haven’t really achieved if you haven’t won the Carling Black Label cup. I have invested in meticulous preparation and I am very happy to have captured the prize,” said Ganya.
“I would like to thank the sponsors Delta Beverages heartily. I now own a pool table and the cash prize would also go a long way in addressing some issues in my life.
“I would also like to shout out to Chitungwiza Provincial Pool president Nomore Magaya who has done a lot in my career.
“When I started pool, I was seen as someone of loose morals but once people realised I was in the game for a purpose, they started appreciating and embracing me.
“Ladies out there should come out and try their hand in this game. It’s very rewarding if you ask me”.
Chihota, who came second was rewarded with a US$1 000 prize while Mercy Musekiwa and Jamila Mponda walked away US$500 and US$250 richer for coming out third and fourth respectively in a field of 64 national finalists who were gunning for the big one.
With the same number of participants in the men’s category, Lindani Gumpo, 38 was the toast of the day as he outshone his competitors.
Although it was his first time to reach the national finals, Gumpo, who plays for Bulawayo-based Palace, held his vein as he elbowed Vincent Mufudza in the final.
“I would like to salute Delta Beverages for putting together this tournament,” he said.
“This win means a lot for me. I have never been in the national finals as I have always fallen short of qualifying. This is a game of very small margins. Of course I have won so many regional titles especially in Botswana but my dream has always been to win the Carling Black Label cup.
“I am happy that I have managed to do that at the first time of asking”.
Gumpo, just like Ganya, also walked away with a pool table and US$1500 while Mufudza, who came second got US$1 000.
Francisco Lunga and Thanks Matamba came third and fourth respectively and were rewarded with US$500 and US$250.
Online Reporter