Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HOMERGROUND Darts Club from Mashonaland West turned heads and took home a beast after winning the top prize at the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Inkomo Open Tournament held at Bellevue Sports Club over the weekend.
It was a historic event, the first time the provincial board, led by Ian Nyathi, hosted a tournament where winners walked away with livestock, including beasts, goats and chickens.
Guided by provincial chairperson Debra Shumba, Homeground dominated the marathon event, which began at midday on Saturday and ran until 11am Sunday.
Organising secretary and board spokesperson Collen Zvimbvatu said the tournament was a success despite a few logistical hiccups.
“I would like to think it was a successful event with unique prizes. It being the first of its kind, it had its fair share of challenges here and there. The challenge lay on resources, but logistics wise it was super,” he said.
Zvimbvatu hailed the turnout from across the provinces. Teams from Mashonaland Central, Harare, Midlands, Matabeleland South and hosts Bulawayo all took part.
“The difference is that other provinces enjoy corporate and political support. In Bulawayo it’s all self sponsored by individual members at both club and provincial levels. I call upon the business community to step in and help the sport grow,” he said.
He added that mining companies in the city could play a big role in promoting the game by supporting development initiatives and tournaments.
Homeground claimed gold in the men’s category after topping a fiercely contested Group A with nine points. Reserve Bank (Bulawayo) and ZRP Harare also finished on nine points, but Homeground advanced as group leaders thanks to a superior dart rate.
Afro Village of Mashonaland Central joined them in the quarter finals, along with Group B winners Wisewaters of Queens Park West, Chingono Stars, Bongrifires (Zvishavane), and Afro Village of Bindura.
In the knockout rounds, Homeground edged Afro Village, Bongrifires beat RBZ Bulawayo, and Chingono Stars dismissed ZRP Harare. Group A’s fourth placed team, Mass, shocked Wisewaters in a tie breaker.
Homeground then overpowered Bongrifires in the semi finals before sealing the title, while Chingono Stars settled for second place.
Runners up took home two goats, while Bongrifires, who finished third, received one.
In the women’s category, which featured four teams, Bongrifires walked away with a goat after finishing first. Harare Ladies were second and Bellevue came third, both taking home chickens for their efforts.
Zvimbvatu said organisers will improve prizes for women in future tournaments and continue encouraging more female participation in the sport.
National Darts Association of Zimbabwe president Mennard Moyo travelled from Harare to witness the action, with the event fully funded by Bulawayo organisers to the tune of US$1 000.
Tournament Summary
Men
Most 180s
S. Chingono (Chingono Stars) 4; C. Siziba (Bongrifires) 4; P. Tazvivinga (Bongrifires) 3
Highest Close
C. Siziba (Bongrifires) 150
Women
Most 180s
Hloniphani Ndlovu (Matabeleland South) 1
Highest Close
Doreen Shumba (Bongrifires) 130
