Chronicle EditorSimba Jemwa, Saturday Chronicle Reporter
FOR much too long, the sport of pool has been maligned as a “bhawa/bar” activity with zero sporting value.
A few years ago, top players like Kadoma’s Hilary Chikara, Stanley Marco from Bulawayo, Hilary Mukamuri from Kadoma, Tatenda Chikara from Mutare, Queens Pool Academy’s Priscilla “Vari” Chisoro and Paul “Macheso” Mutizo, probably didn’t think that in 2022 they’d be taking part in what might be the biggest tournament in the history of the sport in Zimbabwe outside of the AAPA games.
At that time, they very well could have been predicting the impending demise of the game.
But a group of lovers of this sporting code think differently. And to show their love for the game and passion for its growth and development, they are going over and above to organise what could be the biggest singles pool tournament ever to be held in the country.
Sixty-four top pool players drawn from five countries will go head to head in the inaugural Queens International Blackball Tournament which will be held at Queens Sports Club in December.
The winner of this mega tournament will walk away with US$2 000 while the runner-up is set to get US$800 and third-place finisher getting US$500, while US$200 will be awarded to the fourth-placed competitor.
Tournament registration has been set at US$50.
Organisers also revealed that 14 united kings tables will be used for the tournament, seven with Simon’s cloths and seven with Buffalo cloths.
The new elite competition, set for 10 and 11 December, is the first singles tournament event in Zimbabwe to feature top stars from other African countries. Players from Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland and Uganda are expected to compete. Organisers said 32 slots have been set aside for the foreign players with each country allotted six slots each. 16 Zambians have already confirmed their participation including top player, Victor Sinyiza while South African pool master, Jeremiah Naidoo will also be in attendance.
“This tournament is the first of its kind in Zimbabwe and we hope that from a competitive perspective, this will be one of the best. We are hoping to attract quality players who will give both the physically present fans and those watching on digital platforms
“Working with colleagues in the Queens Pool Academy (QPA), we’re delighted to bring this new event to Bulawayo in general and Queens Sports Club in particular. The global pandemic severely affected entertainment and venues, with many being closed for over 14 months.
“This will be an international tournament with players from countries like Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda and Swaziland expected to compete. Zambia alone has 16 players coming for the tournament. We encourage more female players to register and participate in big tournaments. We are talking to potential sponsors for the event and welcome more to come and partner with us for the tournament,” said tournament spokesperson, Kuda Shoko.
“Having this inaugural event live-streamed allows us to lay foundations for the future, in the hope we can make this an annual, in-person event that supports the local economy
“We will be streaming the tournament on my Facebook page which has a following of 64 000 people as well as other social media platforms and the Queens Pool Academy website and social media handles,” said tournament digital media coordinator, Francis Mukwekwe.
The host venue is already being prepared to ensure that the electricity situation does not affect the smooth flow of the event by having a standby generator in place. The club has also committed itself to providing extra security as well as ensuring that auxiliary services such as food and beverages are well stocked.
Queens Sports Club manager, Mlabeli Moyo said: “The Queens Pool Academy is organising a very big tournament and as the mother club, we have put in place measures that will ensure the event is a success.” — @RealSimbaJemwa
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