Kazingizi crowned Bulawayo darts’ best

Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub

HOW Mine darts star Frank Kazingizi was crowned the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Darts Association Player of the Year at a ceremony held in Bulawayo.

He had a blast of a season, dominant in the league and tournaments. He was a regular top three finisher in many events.

Kazingizi scored the Most Six (6) Packs. He notched six and was tied on that figure with veteran Ian Nyathi of Mass and Fanwell Mashindi.

In a good season’s performance by any standard, Kazingizi had the second highest Most 180s. Nyathi finished with the highest of 20 while the How Mine darts star managed 16 to Wisewaters’ Johannes Chirwa’s 14.

Kazingizi was third in the chairman’s Singles Tournament.

Nyathi, the previous season’s most outstanding player was also in the race for the award as he had the highest Match Plays 140s. His season’s best was a haul of 56 with Kazingi second with 54 and Mgcini Nkala of the Bulawayo Reserve Bank team on 52.

Wisewaters’ Abineri Shereni had the top two Highest Closes of 170 and 167 with Nkala next with 160.
Shereni was a key figure in the Wisewaters team that failed to defend its title. He finished third in the Legends tournament’s singles.

Reserve Bank won the league title with Sharks second and Wisewaters third.

Nomvelo Ncube, who was among the top three in the National Darts Association of Zimbabwe Mutare Championships in August, walked away with the best player award in the women’s category.

She partnered Makanaka Gumbo in the Chairman’s Doubles and won the Legends Singles.
Reserve Bank walked away with US$500 for winning the title with runners-up Sharks receiving US$400 while third placed Wisewaters took US$300 to Queens Park West.

Individual prizes had cash incentives too.

Collen Zvimbvatu, the spokesperson for the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Darts Association, described the past year as competitive and was not surprised to see Reserve Bank, Sharks and Wisewaters swap positions at the top of the standings.

“It’s been one of our best seasons. There is renewed interest in the sport not only in Bulawayo but nationally. We have very young players coming on board. As a province we will continue to encourage young players to come on board. National University of Science and Technology are playing in the provincial league and their players have been exposed to national champions.

“The competition this season was very good and we look forward to another great year. The reward was just a token of appreciation, hopefully with corporate support in seasons to come we may pay more. I would like to congratulate the executive for yet another season in which they put in so much for things to happen,” said Zvimbvatu.