Midlands Pool League scraps division one

Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
THE Midlands Pool League (MPL) has scrapped the Division One League remaining with the topflight league after most clubs failed to fulfil their fixtures towards the end of last season.The league, which was one of the biggest in the country in terms of affiliation with 48 teams, has reduced the number by 50 percent to 24 teams.

MPL chairman, Vandirai Hove said the reason behind the scrapping of the league is to bring professionalism into the sport so that it can attract corporate sponsorship.

“There was a realisation that most of the teams in the league weren’t fulfilling their fixtures especially towards the end of the season.
“Our aim is to brand this league and no sane sponsor would want to be associated with a brand which is characterised by chaos.
“This is also the reason why we increased our affiliation fees from $20 to $100 because we now want to remain with committed teams which will enable us to court corporate sponsors. We also want our clubs to win something at the end of the season to make the league more competitive,” he said.

The league kicked off last week despite fears that teams would desert the league for a rival league which is fronted by former chairman, Edward Ganyani.

Only four teams namely Ironsides, TNC, Chivaraidze and Madhaka crossed over to the new league which is calling itself Midlands Pool League Legends.

Hove said the fact that only a handful of teams had crossed the floor showed that clubs have faith in his leadership.

Meanwhile, five clubs namely Eclipse, Uptown, Tamalaiza, Kudzanayi and Katakwara have taken charge of the league with three games having been played so far following a double header over the weekend.

Eclipse is tied on nine points with the other four clubs but a superior frames difference has seen the city centre based outfit take pole position.

Results:

Saturday: Junior 5–6 Mkoba 16; Kudzanayi 6–5 Airforce; Mambo 8–3 Sports Club; MN Gunners 10–1 Mkoba Snipers; Uptown 7–4 Ascot; Katakwara 7–4 Club 20; MSU 5–6 Thabani; Tamalaiza 8–3 Cranham; Liquid Lounge 0–11 Flames; ZRP 5–6 Toyo; Whawha 4–7 Eclipse; Senga 3–8 Mabvokocho

Sunday: Airforce 5–6 Katakwara; Club 20 5–6 Senga; Eclipse 8–3 Liquid Lounge; Ascot 7–4 Junior; Mkoba 16 4– 7 Kudzanayi; Mabvokocho 5–6 Tamalaiza; Mkoba Snipers 1–10 Uptown; Sports Club 5–6 Whawha; Toyo 3–8 MSU; Thabani 7 – MN Gunners; Flames 5–6 ZRP; Cranham 7–4 Mambo.