adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE bowler Clive Robertson says the national team has intensified preparations for the Africa States Bowls tournament to be held in Botswana starting this weekend.The tournament — set for September 6-13 in Jwaneng — has attracted competitors from Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa and hosts Botswana, who will be vying for honours in all the major bowling disciplines.
Robertson said his side was not fazed by the heavy green in Jwaneng and will be aiming for nothing less than gold medals.
“This will be my first time to play at the Jwaneng greens and I hear they have a heavy green, but I am not worried. We have been practising on heavy greens at Dandaro in Borrowdale; it has really helped.
“Although some of my teammates like Tom Craven and Denis Streak have been there before, I believe we will put up some good shots,” said Robertson.
Robertson is, however, not new in the tournament as he has been playing at the same event for more than seven years.
In the men’s fours, Zimbabwe will be represented by Streak, Masters runner-up Tom Craven, Mashonaland champion Clive Robertson and Masters champion Jono Evans. The Trips team will have Craven, Robertson and Terry Bowes.
In the pairs, Streak and Evans will fly the national flag while Bowes takes part in the singles.
Bowls queen Kerry Craven will once again skip the women’s national side.
Kerry Craven was the skip at last year’s Africa States where the Zimbabwe team won silver and bronze medals.
She also believes that the women’s side is ready to roll.
“We are all excited, all is well and we have had enough practice. What is remaining is to aim at our best performance.”
“We are all leaving on Friday so that Saturday we have a full-day of practice and Sunday the action begins. I think this will be one of the best teams that the country has produced and hopefully we will be able to win,” said Keery Craven.
Some of the countries that are expected to take part in this event include Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa and hosts Botswana.
Zimbabwe Bowling National Team
Men – Denis Streak, Clive Robertson, Tom Craven, Jono Evans, Terry Bowes
Fours – Denis Streak, Tom Craven, Clive Robertson, Jono Evans
Trips – Tom Craven, Clive Robertson, Terry Bowes
Pairs – Denis Streak, Jono Evans
Singles – Terry Bowes
Manager – Tim O’Callaghan.
Women – Kerry Craven, Heather Singleton, Ally Dale, Lynn Bishop, Jane Rigby
Fours – Kerry Craven, Lynn Bishop, Heather Singleton, Ally Dale
Trips – Kerry Craven, Heather Singleton, Ally Dale
Pairs – Jane Rigby, Lynn Bishop
Singles – Jane Rigby.
Online Reporter