Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda recently in BULAWAYO
LIFE begins at 40, so they say, and the adage aptly suits newly crowned Carling Black Label women’s national pool champion, Alice Chihota.
The 40-year-old Chitungwiza-based player won her first major title at the Carling Black Label National Pool Championships held at ZITF Hall One in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Chihota defeated Christine Sengwe of Harare in a nail-biting final.
In her hour of glory, Chihota quickly reminded the nation that women pool players were still victims of stigmatisation.
She also urged the game’s leadership to introduce pool competitions in schools and tertiary education institutions.
“Pool is a very good sport, it’s not for women of loose morals as most people think. It’s not only a pastime but a source of income,” said Chihota.
She pocketed US$2 500 and a pool table.
Chihota came close in 2023, when she lost to veteran player Patricia Ganya, who also hails from Chitungwiza.
“I had the feeling this would be my tournament. I had been losing in the semis or in the final in recent years, so I told myself this time I had to make amends,” said Chihota, who started playing the game in 2015.
She becomes the second woman from Chitungwiza to win the coveted Carling Black Label title.
“Chitungwiza has a lot of good players, it’s a breeding ground of top pool players,” said Chihota.
“I have been playing this game for 10 years now and I feel I can go on until I get to 70 years, as long as I am still alive.
“So, I am urging other women to also try this sport.
“To those kids who are into drugs, I am urging them to try pool, it’s a game that can keep you occupied most of the times because it’s either you are training or you are playing in a tournament,” added Chihota.
Timothy Onida who was raised in Epworth, clinched the men’s title after walloping Tapiwa Musona of Masvingo 5-1 in a lopsided final.
The 24-year-old Onida also pocketed US$2 500 and a pool table.
His wish is to see young people from less privileged areas winning big tournaments like the Carling Black Label Na-tional Championships.
“Unfortunately I am still poor so I want to raise myself first then after that I will raise my village,” said Onida who plays club pool in Waterfalls, Harare.
“My target is to keep winning this tournament.
“I train hard, sometimes for more than 10 hours and I knew I would win this tournament. I only had to put effort.
“This is my first time winning this tournament but I expect to win more,” added Onida, a father of two boys.
Onida succeeds Godfrey “Sir Gode” Musona of Mutare who won the title at Zimbali Gardens in Harare last year.
Mercy Musekiwa of Warren Park in Harare won the 2024 women’s crown.
