Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Fungai Muderere, [email protected]
THE draw for the Bulawayo Provincial Pool Association (BPPA) champions league matches has been set for Friday at Golden Pillars amid revelations that the campaign’s opening games will be played on Saturday and Sunday.
The draw will kick off at 6pm.
With regards to the playing format, BPPA secretary-general Nomore Muzvidziwa said: “In the group stages, it will be a five by five race to six round robin. Semi-finals, will be a five by five race to nine knockout. Day one hosts, will see four teams per venue taking part in a round-robin. Venue winner progresses to the knockout stage. The final hosts are going to be announced in due course.”
Participation fee and hosting fee have been pegged at US$30 each.
This is a contest that will see top four teams from each league as per 2024 final log standings take part.
The local pool family has a Premier League and three District Leagues that are Mzilikazi, Central Business District (CBD) and Reigate.
“Failure to participate attracts a fine of $15 per team and the offer goes to the next team as per 2024 log. The prize structure will be announced soon. Teams willing to host should contact the fixtures secretaries of their respective leagues or myself by close of business on Thursday,” said Muzvidziwa.
BPPA held its annual general meeting (AGM) last Saturday at Queens Sports Club, where the association’s president Wilson Mudhari, secretary-general Muzvidziwa and treasurer, Tafadzwa Muguyo, presented their reports.
Reflecting on last season, Mudhari said: “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.—@FungaiMuderere
Online Reporter