Fungai Muderere
IT is not hyperbole to claim that Covid-19 has affected and is affecting pretty much everyone and every part of society.
To safeguard the health of athletes and others involved, most major sporting events at international, regional and national levels have been cancelled or postponed – from marathons to football tournaments, athletics championships to basketball games, handball to rugby, cricket, weightlifting to wrestling and more.
In Zimbabwe, the New Year started on the wrong footing for sportspersons following the imposition of a strict lockdown last Saturday due to the continued surge in Covid-19 infections in the country.
The strict lockdown came with the closure of bars, a development which did not only affect lovers of the bottle and business people, but pool lovers as they were forced to put down their cue sticks throughout the country.
In Bulawayo, pool lovers usually converge at drinking spots that include the new look Palace Hotel, Skittle Inn, Xtreme Sports Bar, Mzilikazi Gardens and Snappies Sports Club among other spots dotted around the city where they would be seeking to outdo each other by sinking the famous blackball.
And it is not only at these drinking bases that billiards addicts converge, they also carry their cue sticks to Kings Pool Centre and Masters Billiards where they even engage in money games.
In that regard it is difficult for one to imagine Bulawayo’s pool leading figures that include Fortune Tavengwa, Donald Wadawu, Dumisani Marira, Stephen Pasuwani, Tongai Mukahiwa, Osborne-wells Dziko, Priscilla Chisoro, Lucy Mpofu, Flatta “Heavy” Moyo and Christine Sengwe, to mention but a few, spending days without laying their hands on their beloved cue sticks and pass time.
Spending weeks, without shouting Shiri Yangu, (my softest target) to their opponents or going month without sinking the solid balls or without at least having a sight of a pool table, will hurt.
Marira, who is the head coach for Skittle Inn Pool Club said: “It’s also a difficult time for us who are so much into the pool game. While it is necessary to take heed of the strict lockdown because life is more precious, I must admit that the pool family is also feeling a great pinch. As I coach, I’m still wondering if I will be able to assemble a competitive side and defend our BPA Cup title.”
Meanwhile, BPA spokesperson Farai Nyandoro has officially gone off the market after he recently tied the knot with his longtime sweetheart Sharon Siziba.
Nyandoro, who is better known as Steven Gerrard in Bulawayo’s pool circles courtesy of his unwavering love for English football side Liverpool, walked down the aisle just before the New Year.
The couple is blessed with three kids Melisa (12), Melonie (7), and Randell (5).
