The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE long wait is over!
Manicaland had to endure the long wait to host the Champions League — a tournament meant for top clubs from all provinces across the country — after the annual snooker extravaganza was shelved recently due to the Depression Freddy-induced heavy rains
Zimbabwe Pool Association (ZIPA) technical director, Wellington Chikasha, this week, confirmed that the two-day pool fete will go ahead at Dangamvura premier entertainment venue — Villa Spot — tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday.
The event starts at 10am.
Six top Mutare Pool League clubs are set to represent Manicaland Province in a competition that brings together top four teams from all the other provinces.
Chikasha said: “So far 36 teams have confirmed their participation. For logistical arrangements, we will only share the final list on Thursday (yesterday) after all registration processes are done. Mutare will be on fire this weekend.”
The last winner of this competition is Tigers Pool Club which hails from the dormitory town of Chitungwiza.
“We will be having title holders, Tigers Pool Club from Chitungwiza who made their intentions of defending their title clear,” Chikasha said.
Manicaland will be hosting this event for the first time since its inception in 2015. Mashonaland East’s Makotore Leisure Centre hosted the 2019 edition, which was the last edition of the tournament.
Like any other sport code, Covid-19 did not spare the game of pool from 2020 to 2022.
On preparation for this year’s Champions League contest, Chikasha said: “Preparations are now at an advanced stage. We, as the mother board (ZIPA), have put everything in place for a successful event.
“The winners’ prize structure is very attractive especially considering that the event is self-sponsoring. There are no sponsors on board for this event.
“ZIPA has also engaged the services of media personnel who will do live streaming of some of the games at some particular stages. That will be a huge bonus to all our supporters and fans who might not travel to Manicaland since they will be able to watch games from the comfort of their homes.”
Host of the competition, Villa Spot proprietor Abel Zhakata said: “We are excited to be hosting this competition. Players from different clubs were warming to this. It promises to be a big event that will bring together the best of the best in the game of pool in the country.
“As the host club, we have done everything in our purview to ensure that we have a successful and memorable event.”
Chikasha said the tournament is vital in talent identification.
“Since its (the National Champions League) inception, it has been one of the major national pool events that draws different talents from all our 10 provinces who come with their clubs to showcase their talents.
“This competition helps us to identify the finest players who will form the national team. It is also through this tournament that, through proper marketing and advertising, potential sponsors come on board and we are calling out sponsors to partner with us.
“Besides being a sport, pool is now a networking conduit, bringing people together watching the sport they love most,” said Chiaksha.
The ZIPA technical director said the Champions League marks the beginning of the season in which many more competitions are lined up.
“ZIPA has many competitions or tournaments throughout the year. Like any other formal and registered with Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) sport code, we have an annual activities calendar that guides us throughout that particular sporting season.
“The major one being the Carling Black Label competition, which is currently sponsored by Delta. It is a very lucrative tournament with a lot of cash prizes and pool accessories to the winners,” said Chikasha.
The game of pool has been fast gaining popularity across the country in both urban and rural set ups with tables almost at every other shopping centre.
A. Manicaland: Rozvie; Villa Spot; Beloepass; Soul City; Snippers; Beer Garden
B. Bulawayo: Palace; Queens; Entumbane; Expandables; UBH; Nkulumane PC; Exchange; Bulawayo Elders
C. Chitungwiza: Tigers; Champions; Small Stones; Club 75; Padombo
D. Matabeleland South: Elshadai
E. Mashonaland Central: Bindura Health; Chiwaridzo Academy; Swallows
F. Harare: Pahukama; Mega 1;BnB Ruwa; Leisure; Ellusion; Legends
G. ZWPA
H. Mashonaland East: Red Bar; Charisma; Kingtite; King Kong; Gango; Stodart; Chicago; Club 99; Muchie.
