The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Player
FOR the first time, Mutare will play host to the Average and Masters Tournament at Dangamvura Complex Giants Pool Club home ground on tomorrow (Saturday).
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.
Ideally, an average player is everyone who has never represented the country on any regional or international competition.
The Masters category will see players above the age of 40 competing on their own.
Tomorrow’s matches will be played on a Race to Five format.
Matches start at 2pm, while registration fee has been pegged at US$10.
According to MPL fixtures secretary, Lloyd ‘Hipstar’ Samanga, US$150 is guaranteed for the first prize.
“All is set for the Average and Masters Tournament at Dangamvura Complex Giants Pool Club home ground on Saturday (tomorrow).US$150 is just a prize money for Saturday, but the overall winner will get a pool table at the end of the rounds. It promises to be an exciting event, and all those interested in trying their luck must not hesitate to register,” said Samanga.
This is the first time that Mutare will be hosting the event as it has been rotating elsewhere around the country.
Said Samanga: “It is meant for average players, and these include every player who has not represented the country in any international or regional competition. For the Masters category, it is meant for those above the age of 40.
“A log table for participants is drawn as the tournament rotates around the country and at the end, the winner gets a pool table, among other prizes for participants.”
Meanwhile, Rozvie Empire are still on top of the Mutare Pool League (MPL) log standings, with star-studded Shoverland giving a good chase for the top accolade.
The TM Chikanga-based Shoverland are just a point the log leaders.
Rozvie Emipre seems to be losing the grip at the summit of the table, given the player exodus that hit the club and Shoverland, with all the crème de la crème that recently joined the newly formed club, are poised to win the league title.
To underline Rozvie Empire’s shocking decline in form, only last weekend the once feared outfit settled for a 12-all stalemate with an average side – Giants, who are eighth on the table.
However, dark horses in the race, Beer Garden are seven points adrift log leaders, Rozvie Empire, and might pull a surprise by frog jumping both Rozvie Empire and Shoverland in this riveting title race.
