The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Sports Reporter
ACTION-PACKED!
This aptly sums up proceedings of the highly subscribed pool tournament held at Villa Spot in Dangamvura last weekend as part of efforts to drum up support for the anti-drug campaign as well as spread the sport to the grassroots.
A total of 17 teams out of the 23 affiliated to the Mutare Pool League, who organised the tournament, turned up for the tournament to battle for supremacy, a trophy and prize money that was up for grabs for the winners.
The competition also drew ecstatic spectators who cheered on the players.
Action was fiercely competitive as the players exhibited great technique with the cue stick and artistry that served up-bank shots, cannon shots, trick shots and topspins, among others, on pocking the object balls.
Only the best four teams would walk up to the podium after the contest.
After a gruelling two-day duel, Rozvi Empire stood head above the rest after emerging victorious.
They walked away with a floating trophy and US$200 for their efforts.
Acid Club of Chikanga settled for second position and got US$150, while the hosts, Villa Spot came third and won US$100.
Beolopass of Sakubva finished fourth and received US$50.
Mutare Pool League development and publicity officer, Trinity Mukwapati expressed satisfaction and described the tournament as successful.
“We are excited that we successfully held the tournament. This marks the return of the games at this level of competition following the lengthy lay-off induced by the Covid-19 pandemic. It effectively sets the tone for future tourney which we hope to be bigger and better.
“We hope we managed to send out a message that sports such as pool can be a viable vehicle that can keep youths away from drugs. The game can also be played at amateur and the highest level, with players eking out a decent living as professionals,” said Mukwapati.
He added that another pool tournament has been earmarked for next month during the Independence Day celebrations.
Mukwapati said as an association they are looking forward to bringing on board more teams.
He said: “We are eager to have more clubs affiliated so as to further develop the game. We are actually planning on going to Nyanga for an exchange programme with the aim of taking the sport to different parts of the province and also promote it at grassroots level.”
Mukwapati expressed optimism of attracting corporate partners to bankroll future tournaments.
The winning team’s patron, Eddie Gopo was elated with their victorious outing.
“As Rozvi Empire, we are proud to be crowned the champions of the competition. Beating off our opponents shows how strong we are as a club and we will continue working hard to maintain our dominance and retain the trophy. We want to thank the organisers of the tournament and the hosts as well for offering us this opportunity to compete as rivals on a single platform,” he said.
Hosts of the tournament, Villa Spot managing director, Precious Zhakata said: “As proponents of promoting the game of pool, we stand ready to lend a hand in developing it. Our venue is always open to host events and support initiatives that leads to the growth of the sport.”
