Zimbabwe pool player misses out on China jackpot

Fungai Muderere, Senior Sports Reporter

AFTER a so near yet so far campaign at the 11th World Heyball Masters Grand Pool Final being held in Qinhuangdao, China, Zimbabwe’s representative Tendai “Inspector” Mubayiwa is expected to fly back home today.

Zimbabwe Pool Association (ZIPA) public relations officer Donald Wadawu said Mubayiwa is expected to arrive in the country this afternoon together with ZIPA president Ephraim Choto.

“We encourage pool players and administrators to throng Robert Mugabe International Airport to welcome our pool ambassadors from the Heyball brand of IHPA China. Tendai Mubayiwa joins the elite that have graced the Heyball International Championship in China. His displays in China have opened opportunities for other players to broaden their professional horizons in future,” said Wadawu.

After winning two of his opening matches Mubayiwa failed to advance to the next stage of the tournament after he lost his two last round qualifier matches.

Before Mubaiwa could think of carrying his cue stick for the grand finale, he was supposed to clear an international (not Chinese) qualifiers hurdle.

Twenty players qualify into the 64 main event draw, a stage that reportedly has the largest tournament bonus in history. Top 20 qualifiers will enter the grand finals, get US$3 000 each before fighting for the top prize of US$730 000.

“There were 32 slots reserved for China and 20 invited top players from all continents. All Africa Pool Association (AAPA) members were asked to send one player and 15 African countries were represented.

Mubayiwa won two matches and lost two matches. He needed to win three to make it to the money bracket of the last 64. Only two out of 15 African players qualified to the last 64,” said Wadawu.

Chinese 8-Ball has now been renamed Heyball and its governing body, the International Chinese 8-Ball Association (ICEA), has been renamed The International Heyball Pool Association (IHPA).

IHPA paid Mubaiwa’s air ticket, airport shuttle to and from the venue and accommodation for the duration of the tournament. – @FungaiMuderere.