Champions League put on ice

24 Feb, 2023 - 00:02 0 Views
Champions League put on ice The competition, which is meant for every player, apart from a few from the National Elite Pool Association of Zimbabwe (NEPAZ), will feature most players from different clubs around the country who are regarded average

The ManicaPost

 

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter

 

MANICALAND will have to wait a little longer to host the Champions League Tournament meant for top clubs from all provinces across the country after the annual snooker contest was shelved due to the anticipated Tropical Storm Freddy.

 

The Zimbabwe Pool Association (ZIPA) announced on Wednesday that the much-awaited two-day competition will be held on a date to be announced.

 

The potentially explosive competition has tentatively been set for March 11 and 12.

 

The notice of postponement of National Champions League Tournament, signed by ZIPA president, Ephraim Choto, reads: “Further to our communication dated February 21, 2023, we regret to inform everyone that the NCL tournament that was scheduled for Mutare on February 25 and 26 has been postponed. The new date has been tentatively set as March 11 and 12, 2023 when we hope that the cyclone would have fully subsided.”

 

Mutare was supposed to host the prestigious Champions League Snooker Tournament for the first time since its inception this weekend.

 

Six top Mutare Pool League clubs are set to represent Manicaland Province in a competition that brings together top teams from all the provinces across the country.

 

Host of the competition, Villa Spot proprietor, Abel Zhakata said they will remain ready to host the event.

 

“We agree with the decision to shelve the tournament because of the expected rains. Even if there might not be any damage to property, playing the tournament while it is raining may dampen the mood, hence the decision to have it on a later date. As the hosts, we have fully prepared for the event and we will ensure that we maintain the standards until the tournament is held,” said Zhakata.

 

Clubs in Mutare that are set to partake in the Champions League Tournament had a preparatory six-team competition last weekend which featured Rozvie Empire, Beolopas, Soul City, Snipers, Beer Gardens and hosts, Villa Spot.

 

The tournament was also meant to make sure that Mutare representatives are aware of the new playing format to be used during the national tournament.

 

Mutare Pool League development officer, Trinity Mukwapati said: “Previously, Mutare teams did not do very well because of poor preparations and psychological effect. As MPL, we are happy, though not satisfied with our teams’ level of preparedness. We are not satisfied because we believe representatives should also have come from places like Chipinge, Rusape and Nyanga.

 

“Going forward, we want to make sure that teams in these areas affiliate to us and form leagues so that they can also take part in these national tournaments.

 

“We are happy that at least teams are aware of the new format and have beefed up their squads. We are also happy with the fact that as the hosting province we will field the majority of officials to officiate during the tournament unlike previous tournaments were our teams sometimes lost due to biased officiating.”

 

The Champions League Tournament brings together top four teams from all the other provinces around the country, while the hosting province — in this case Manicaland — has the privilege of fielding two more clubs.

 

 

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