adminMbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
TWO Zimbabwe’s top bowlers Roy Garden and Kerry Craven say they will try to compete with the best on the globe at the World Singles Champion of Champions Bowls tournament at Burnside Bowling Club in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The duo left the country last week with their team manager Heather Singleton and are now in New Zealand having their final preparations for the big tournament which has attracted top bowlers from all over the world. The championship is expected to start on November 25 and end on December 1 with more than 14 countries taking part and African teams expected to compete are Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Zimbabwe’s singles top bowler Garden will play his first match on Wednesday next week while Craven will play her first match a day earlier. The Zimbabweans have been placed in a competitive section where they will take on top bowlers from Australia, Canada, Norfolk Island, Scotland, Japan, Canada, Jersey, Turkey, Macau, Hong Kong China, Malta, Ireland and South Africa.
Garden is hopeful he will do well.
“I am optimistic and I am going to give myself the opportunity to compete in this tournament. I have been practicing hard, playing against the world’s top bowlers in a section of 14 countries will be tough but I will definitely give it my best shot.
“In the section of 14 only the top three countries will go through and I will try my best to among the top,” said Garden.
Craven feels she is ready for the challenge although the playing conditions in New Zealand will test her to the limit.
“I am ready although the playing conditions here are completely different, their greens are very quick. I love the competition and playing the champion will be a good experience,” said Craven. This is the first time she is taking part in the World Singles but she has made an impact in tournaments held on the continent. She won more than 19 medals at Africa States bowls tournament from 2007 to 2012. Both bowlers are from Highlands Sports Club, which has the record of producing the country’s best bowlers.
Zimbabwe’s bowlers profiles
Name: Roy Garden
Town/City & Country of Birth: Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Occupation: Self employed
Hobbies: Bowls
Left/Right handed: Right
Year first started bowling: 1988
Outdoor Club Name: Highland Sports
Make & Model of Bowls being used: Henselite XG Dreamline
First Major Bowls Achievement: Club Champion Singles
International Apperances / Achivements 3 x Commonwealth Games – Singles Gold Medallist 1998, 3 x Worlds Bowls, 15 x African Championships
Name: Kerry Craven
Town/City & Country of Birth: Harare, Zimbabwe
Occupation: Marketing Executive
Hobbies: Bowling, Fishing, Reading
Favourite Food & Drink: Steak & Coke
Left/Right handed:Right
Year first started bowling:1998
Outdoor Club Name: Highlands
Make & Model of Bowls being used: Drakes Pride, Professional
First Major Bowls Achievement: 2007 Africa States Tournament Pairs – Gold medal
International Appearances/Achievements:
2007 African States Tournament – Gold, Silver x2
2010 African States Tournament – Silver x3
2011 African States Tournament – Gold, Silver x2
2012 African States Tournament – Silver, Bronze x3
Other major bowling achievements:
International Pairs – Gold x 2
2012 Zimbabwe Nationals – Gold x3
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