adminMehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
FOR the eleventh year running, the Safeguard Zimbabwe Open Squash men’s final is going to be an all Zambian affair when the South Africa-based Zambian Ray Simbule squares off against Mwansa Chileshe who also plies his trade in South Africa at Suburbs Squash Club in Bulawayo this morning.Defending champion Simbule defeated Zimbabwean Ahmed Hassan 3-1 in the semi-finals last night while Chileshe shrugged off the challenge of another Zambian Ken Mwape in another last four match played earlier on by the same scoreline. The winner of the men’s title is set to walk away with $1 000 with the runner-up to pocket $750.
David Simpemba of Zambia takes on Zimbabwean Joseph Matambanadzo for the veteran’s title, local girls Yvonne Mubure of Harare and Lauren Williams from Bulawayo fight it out for the women’s crown which was won by Zambian Sharon Chimfembwe who, however, did not come to Zimbabwe to defend her title as she was representing her country at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland.
Ten times in a row doubles champions Nesbitt and Mike Burns would be aiming to take the doubles for the 11th consecutive time when they meet local brothers Gregory and Michael Strydom.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwean squash referee Lucky Mlilo leaves the country for Namibia where he is the championship referee for the World Junior Squash Championships which run from 10 to 22 August in the Namibian capital Windhoek.
Mlilo is going to work closely with the team of international referees who have been appointed by the World Squash Federation to handle matches at the event to ensure the smooth running of the international juniors tournament.
Zimbabwe is also sending a team of five players to the tournament where 31 countries will enter the individual event with 24 countries for the team competition. The tournament, held every two years is for players aged 19 years and under.
Online Reporter