Young guns ready to make Zim roar

THE countdown to the Zimbabwe national Under-23 Pool tournament is gathering momentum, with the country’s emerging cue artists preparing to converge on Bulawayo for a weekend expected to combine youthful flair, skill, nerve and fierce competition, Zimpapers Sports Hub has learnt!

Organised by the Zimbabwe Pool Association (ZIPA), technical director Wellington Dhewa Chikasha said the tournament will be staged at the iconic Queens Sports Club on October 24 and 25, with proceedings getting underway at 10am on both days.

As preparations gather pace, ZIPA technical director Dhewa says the excitement around the tournament is steadily building, with the association eager to see Zimbabwean and Bulawayo pool lovers embracing the occasion.

“We are slowly getting ready, the build-up is getting exciting, let Zimbabwe and Bulawayo roar,” said Dhewa.

His rallying call comes as players and organisers enter the final stages of preparations for an event that seeks to put the spotlight firmly on the next generation of Zimbabwean pool talent.
For the Under-23 players, the tournament presents an opportunity to step into the national spotlight and showcase their ability against fellow young cue artists from different parts of the country.

The competition will be played in a race-to-five format, meaning players will need more than just technical ability to progress. Concentration, tactical awareness, composure under pressure and the ability to recover from setbacks could all prove decisive when the balls start rolling.

Registration has been pegged at US$10, making the event accessible to young players keen to test themselves on a bigger stage.

Beyond the trophies and bragging rights, the tournament carries a wider significance for the development of the sport. Creating regular competitive platforms for young players gives them an opportunity to gain

experience, develop confidence and measure themselves against some of the country’s promising Under-23 talent.

For Bulawayo, the tournament is also another opportunity for the city’s sporting community to rally behind a discipline that continues to attract players and followers across the country.
With Queens Sports Club providing the stage, the organisers will be hoping for an atmosphere befitting a national event as the young players battle it out over two days.

The message from ZIPA is therefore clear: the preparations are underway, the excitement is growing and the young stars are ready to step forward.

As October 24 draws closer, cues will be chalked, tables will be prepared and ambitions will rise.

When the opening break finally comes, it will be time for Zimbabwe’s Under-23 pool generation to announce itself. — @FungaiMuderere