Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
SHAMVA isn’t the kind of place most people imagine when they think of a national sports showcase, yet it’s about to host one.
A National Women Open tournament under the auspices of the Zimbabwe Pool Association (Zipa), carrying a combined prize value of US$1 450, is set for Liquid Lounge on 6 and 7 December. The choice of venue has already stirred quiet excitement among cue sport followers who see this as a sign of how far the women’s game has come.
“Who would have imagined that places that are almost classified in the category of the nook and cranny of the country like Shamva could play host to such a prestigious cue sport gala, thanks to Zipa for spreading its tentacles far and wide in a bid to also explode the myths that such places in Zimbabwe are primitive,” said Zipa technical director Wellington Chikasha, his voice carrying equal parts pride and challenge.
The structure of the tournament is designed to lure serious contenders. Registration sits at US$15, a fee Chikasha believes no one will grumble about.
“That players are required to part with a registration fee of $15 to partake the event is no cause for pain as the prize structure is just too tempting to ignore,” he said.
The first prize is pegged at US$600 and a trophy. Second place gets US$400 and a trophy, third takes home US$250 and a medal, fourth earns US$150 and a medal, while fifth collects US$50 and a medal. The deadline for registration is 4 December and the draw will be conducted on 5 December at the venue by a Zipa board member or a delegated official. Players have been encouraged to be present when the names are pulled.
Matches will be won or lost on a Single Elimination format, race to five, best of nine frames. It’s an unforgiving system, which makes punctuality non-negotiable. If a player isn’t present when called to the table, she gets a five minute allowance. After that, the frame is awarded to the opponent. Twelve minutes in, the entire game is forfeited.
Zipa has pushed hard to raise its standards and this event is part of that effort.
“Zipa has become a stickler to standards that take cue sport to another level and the tournaments held so far under its tutelage have proved that the national association consistently and persistently walks the talk,” said Chikasha.
Dress code is one of the areas where Zipa isn’t budging. Players in Shamva must appear in black formal slacks or skirts, red or white shirts and black formal shoes. Shorts, gumboots and slippers are out. Anyone turning up in the wrong attire risks surrendering a frame on the spot.
Referees will come from the host province, although the tournament director can make changes if the situation demands it. It’s all part of a broader push to keep the sport disciplined, visible and worthy of national attention.
For Shamva, the tournament marks a rare moment. For Zimbabwean women in cue sport, it’s another step toward claiming their own space, with Zipa intent on making sure that space keeps growing.
