Minister sees potential in pool

SPORT, Recreation, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Emily Jesaya believes pool has the potential to become a big sport in the country but she feels the game needs to be played in a more conducive environment to accommodate aspiring players.

She graced the inaugural ZTN Prime Corporate Pool Tournament held at Dam View in Chitungwiza recently where Pacific, CABS, Axis Solutions, Delta Beverages, FBC Bank, Potraz, Quest Light, Verifying, City Parking, Belgravia, Chitungwiza Ladies, Parliament and ZTN Prime took part.

“Pool is growing massively in Zimbabwe as there is a lot of interest in the sport. However, we are worried about the venues of some of the tournaments,” said Jesaya.

“As the Government, we are advocating for pool to be played in more conducive places like schools and other decent sporting facilities so that it can accommodate all.

“We have a crisis of drug abuse among youths, but I am confident sports like pool will go a long way in taking these youths off the streets.

“Pool is now being played at a professional level in Zimbabwe and many people are making a living out of the sport,” she said. The country, she added, has a lot of facilities that can also be used to host pool tournaments.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo Province Pool Association (BPPA) is set to hold its champions league contest on February 17 at a venue yet to be announced.

BPPA marketing and publicity officer Osborne-Wells Dziko said clubs that concluded the 2023 season in the top three of their Premier and Division One Leagues will take part.

Premier league clubs that are going to take part are Palace Pool Club, Queens Academy and Entumbane Pool Club.

Division One clubs that are set to fight for the top accolade from Mzilikazi District are PS Classics, Khami and Mnethi.

Central Business District (CBD) will be represented by Delta Expandables and Mpumelelo.

The champions league contest will be held under a new BPPA executive committee led by Wilson Mudhari.

He takes over from fellow Bulawayo businessman Fortune Tawengwa.

Mudhari, who was previously the association’s vice president will be deputised by veteran pool administrator Donald Wadawu.

“We will seek to continue developing the game in Bulawayo. We are seeking a collective effort and in that regard we should support each other in taking the game to another level,” said Mudhari

Nomore Muzvidziwa was re-elected as the association’s secretary-general.

Tafadzwa Muguyo is the new treasurer and he takes over from Shepherd Moyo.

Farai Nyandoro, a former athletes’ commissioner was voted referees’ co-ordinator.

MacDonald Mudenge lost his position of development officer to Maxwell Magovere.

BPPA recently launched a Reigate District League.

It already has the Premier, Division One, Mzilikazi and Central Business District Leagues.

The Reigate District League was officially launched a fortnight ago through a singles two- day tournament that attracted scores of Bulawayo pool players.

Clemence “Kitso” Gutse was the winner and for his efforts he received US$150 plus a gold medal.