adminTakudzwa Chitsiga and Faith Mutema
ZIMBABWEAN bowler Jane Rigby was a revelation when she was voted the Best Overall Player in the Africa States Bowls whose curtain came down at City Bowling Club yesterday.
The Bulawayo-based player won three medals including the Best Overall Female Player of the Tournament after the five-day event.
Zimbabwe hosted this year’s edition of the annual event, but it was South Africa who dominated as a team with their men and women teams featuring in the singles, pairs, trips and four events.
Former world champion Rigby was happy with her achievement and praised Team Zimbabwe.
“It’s a huge competition for us to win since we were competing with very strong teams who have very talented people.
“There is always room for improvement, but all in all we did very well to win these medals.
We are just hoping for the best as we go to our next tournament in New Zealand in November which will be the World Championships and we are excited,” Rigby said.
Team South Africa were dominant in the women’s pairs, trips and fours while Rigby won the singles.
In the trips, South Africa won gold medal with 12 points while Zimbabwe got silver medals in the pairs and singles on nine points each as their only bronze came in the fours.
Namibia were not to be outdone as they came second overall with a gold, silver and two bronze medals while Zimbabwe was third with two gold medals in the singles and pairs.
Kenya managed two medals a bronze and a silver medal. The men’s event was also dominated by the Proteas, but Namibia’s Will Esterhuizen was voted Player of the Tournament.
Esterhuizen’s exploits saw his country come out runners-up to South Africa in a tight contest and the burly player said they played as a team.
“It’s the first time winning so many medals considering the fact that there was tough competition and I’m really proud of being the Man of the Tournament,” Esterhuizen.
“We played in all of our games and we never lost in the tournament so I am very proud of my team.
South Africa’s men team accumulated two gold and two silver medals as Namibia had two gold one silver and a single bronze medals. Kenya won a bronze medal in men’s pairs so as Botswana who had a bronze in the trips.
Two countries Zambia and Swaziland failed to turn up for the event that incorporates most of Africa’s active bowling nations.
Online Reporter