NEW: CBL pool championships grow in stature

Online Reporter

Records were broken at this year’s Carling Black Label (CBL) national pool championships in Masvingo, in yet another testament to how the sport is fast gaining traction.

For almost a decade, no male player from Bulawayo had won the CBL national title until last weekend, when Pelandaba-bred Lindani Gumpo – who plays at Palace Hotel – romped to victory at Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo.

Bulawayo had failed to provide a male winner since 2014, as Harare and Chitungwiza-based players dominated the competition.

Last season’s winner Pearson “Zozo” Nyasha is from Chitungwiza, while the 2015, 2018 and 2019 winner, Tendai “Inspector” Mubaiwa, is from Hatfield, although born and bred in Chitungwiza.

Blessing Chatoma (Harare) and Obedience Nyaumwe (Chitungwiza), won the 2016 and 2017 finals, respectively.

Interestingly, 53-year-old Patricia Ganya, who turns out for Tigers Pool Club in Chitungwiza, became the first woman from the province to win the national championship after recovering to beat Alice Chihota in an exhilarating final.

In fact, no woman from Harare and Chitungwiza had won the title since 2015.

Someya Mlauzi of Kwekwe was the defending champion going into the 2023 finals, Ganya upset the applecart and took the gong back to Chitungwiza.

It took Ganya almost three decades to finally land the Carling Black Label title, having been inspired by her father, who played golf.

“I was almost thinking of retiring from the game as I am 53 now, but I had to take this championship because I have come far with this sport,” an elated Ganya said.

“Now I am relieved, no pressure at all,” she said.

Ganya has held several posts and is also a Class One umpire and technical director in Chitungwiza.

“I came here to collect the pool table, and I have worked hard for this.

“I have 30 years of experience in this game.

“My father played golf, so I just thought of trying pool and with this game, I have managed to send my children to school.

“I won a lot of local tournaments and also got prizes, but today I have won the biggest prize of them all.

“My dream has come true,” said Ganya.

Winners of this year’s finals walked away US$1 500 richer plus a pool table.

The finals attracted 128 players, 64 men and 64 women, from across Zimbabwe.

Recent winners of the CBL national championships

2023 Lindani Gumpo (Bulawayo) Patricia Ganya (Chitungwiza)

2022 Pearson Nyasha (Chitungwiza) Someya Mlauzi (Kwekwe)