Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
MATABELELAND Districts were last night on the verge of clinching an unprecedented fourth consecutive Bowls Zimbabwe Inter-District title.
No district has ever won the title more than twice in a row.
The 2025 Bowls Zimbabwe Championships started at Bulawayo’s Bulawayo Athletic Club greens on Saturday and will end this afternoon.
Matabeleland Districts which comprises Bulawayo and the two other provinces of Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, have dominated Zimbabwe’s premier bowls competition since 2022.
This year, Mid West comprising of the Midlands and Mashonaland Country District are represented in a sport that had seen numbers dwindle.
Olly Baker, the Bowls Zimbabwe president said the Heroes Holidays event is the last tournament of the year.
After the holidays she said a national team will be selected to represent Zimbabwe at the African Championships to be hosted by Zambia next year.
She said everyone has been keen to be identified as this is the pathway to the World Bowls Championships to be hosted by England in 2027.
“Everything has gone well so far. Matabeleland women are on course to win their fourth title. With what has been played up to this evening, they appear to have wrapped it all together for a fourth consecutive title.
“No district has ever achieved that, they have played some good bowls over the years and in this tournament too,” said Baker.
She said in the men’s category, it was still uncertain who will walk away but predicted an exciting finale today as players try to seal places in the Zimbabwe team since there is no other national competition after this one.
“We expect a good final day with everyone vying for selection. We will select the team for the African Championships based on performances in this event,” Baker said.
She disclosed that Chinky Marillier and Richie Hayden had returned to action. Their return, she said, was good for the development of the sports as they were still very competitive former national team players.
“Their experience as former national team players well into their 70s, will come in handy to budding stars. In bowls you are a player for life, it’s hard to retire and turn your back on the sport,” Baker said.
She said that while numbers may have dwindled in recent years, younger players of all races were coming into the sport.
Baker said their conversations with the Sport and Recreation and World Bowls were very positive for the future.
Scores
L
adies Fours: Mid West 9 points, Mashonaland 9 points, Matabeleland 18 points
Singles: Mid West 0, Mashonaland 12, Matabeleland 24 points.
The Trips and Pairs results were still pending at the time of going to print.
