The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
IN a bid to promote the game as well as curb drug and substance abuse through sport, the Mutare Pool League has organised a tournament scheduled for Villa Spot in Dangamvura this weekend.
The competition, which is expected to attract scores of players, will be held on Saturday and Sunday.
Organisers confirmed that the stage is set for the games which will also serve as an anti-drug campaign.
“The preparations for the tournament have hit top gear and we are raring to go. We are taking a two-pronged approach with the games. First, we are using the platform for its obvious benefits of nurturing future stars as we will have both seasoned and blossoming players. Pool is still growing and regarded among the minority sports, but has huge potential of becoming big and commercially successful. As such, we want to promote the game by spreading it to the grassroots and ensure that many people embrace it. One of our major objectives as an association is to develop the game.
“On the other hand,we are also using the competition as a vehicle to fight drug and substance abuse among youths. We are tapping into the transformative power sport possesses to impact people’s lives and influence positive change in society.
“Organising professionally run tournaments around the city can help in keeping the youths occupied and away from abusing drugs and other dangerous substances. Sport such as pool can, therefore, play a key role in tackling such social scourges.
We feel that we can actively be involved in the initiative and make a difference of championing drug-free communities with the youth at the centre of development,” said Trinity Mukwapati, the Mutare Pool League development and publicity officer.
He added that as belated National Youth Day celebrations, which were held under the theme: “Alleviate Substance and Drug Abuse by the Youth”, the pool tournament will add its voice to the growing chorus around the anti-drug campaign.
Mukwapati said the pool tournament will be played in different formats that include teams, doubles and singles.
“All the players are required to register first before participating. There will be matches for singles, doubles and teams. We are expecting stiff competition in the knockout format as participants battle for supremacy. Top performing individuals and teams will walk away with prizes on the second and final day of the competition on Sunday,” he said.
Mukwapati said they are expecting a huge turnout, with at least 24 teams comprising at least 20 largely youthful players set to participate.
He added that only fully vaccinated players are eligible to participate and the tournament will be held under strict adherence to all Covid-19 protocols.
Mukwapati expressed confidence of luring corporate partners to bankroll Mutare Pool League’s future tournaments.
