Pool body welcomes new clubs into premiership

BULAWAYO Province Pool Association (BPPA) president Wilson Mudhari has welcomed Fast Cash, Expendables, Mazai, and Sizinda pool clubs to the Premier League ahead of the start of the 2025 season.

BPPA held its annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday at Queens Sports Club, where the association’s secretary-general, Norman Muzvidziwa, and treasurer, Tafadzwa Muguyo, presented their reports.

“Fast Cash, Expendables, and Mazai pool clubs emerged victorious in their respective districts and secured promotion to the provincial league. Sizinda also gained promotion after overcoming Black Eagles, Mnethi, and Waverly in the play-offs. I say congratulations and welcome to the Premier League. Skittle Inn, Black Eagles, ZPC, and Lobengula Sharks have been relegated to the district leagues. I bid them farewell,” said Mudhari.

To earn promotion to the top-flight league, Fast Cash, Expendables, and Mazai dominated the Mzilikazi, Central Business District (CBD) and Reigate district leagues, respectively.

Reflecting on last season, Mudhari added: “The provincial league saw all 16 slots being filled. The league kicked off with a mombe/inkomo tournament, which saw 15 teams participating — except for Kings Pool Club, which had a slow start to the season. It was an exciting season with a high level of competition throughout, resulting in some match abandonments, which, of course, was regrettable.”

Queens Pool Club were crowned the 2024 Premier League champions, having completed the season without a single defeat.
Entumbane Pool Club and Nkulumane Pool Club finished as first and second runners-up, respectively, while Dragons Pool Club claimed fourth place in the top-flight league.

Meanwhile, the Mzilikazi District League Pool Association held its AGM on Sunday at Nkulumane’s Chillers Sports Bar, where Sengamo Khumalo was elected as the new secretary-general, replacing Handsome Ncube, who recently moved abroad.
Khumalo announced that league matches will commence on 22 February.

“Club registration is now open and teams can submit their forms to the secretary-general for database entry. The affiliation fee is set at $200, with an initial 50% payment due by March 1. A provisional database for player eligibility will be released for the provincial champions league games. Clubs with outstanding arrears for the 2024 excess player registration fee are advised to settle them before registering for the 2025 season,” said Khumalo. — @FungaiMuderere.