Fungai Muderere
THE second qualifiers set of the 2023 Carling Black Label (CBL) National Pool Championship qualifiers will be held on Saturday in Harare, Gwanda, Kariba, Kwekwe and Mutare a week after the first instalment was successfully held in Zvishavane, Mutoko, Chinhoyi, Rusape and Chitungwiza.
The weekly provincial qualifiers that have over the years attracted hordes of billiards players are set to end on 3 July.
According to Zimbabwe Pool Association (Zipa) public relations officer Donald Wadawu over 2 000 players are expected to compete in the 2023 edition of the Carling Black Label National Pool Championships qualifiers
Only provinces that are compliant with Zipa requirements relating to affiliation fees and player databases or have made acceptable arrangements will be allowed to take charge of CBL tournaments within their area of jurisdiction.
In Gwanda, those aspiring to qualify for the national finals will fight it out at Manzanyama Bar while Kasi Kasi Bar will be the venue for the Harare contest.
Thorngrow Bar and The Pavilion will respectively be the place to be for Kariba and Kwekwe-based competitors.
In Mutare, those seeking the national finals qualification berths will carry their cue sticks to Dhunza and Villa Spot.
Meanwhile, last Saturday Cathrine Ndumo, Hardlife Mugocha and Robert Zonke conquered all and sundry in Rusape to qualify for the national finals while Kelvi Ndlera , Adrian Shumba and Rumbidzayi Njanji were the best in Zvishavane.
Tsitsi Madzudzo, Gerald Kwenda and Brighton Takaruwa were in fine form to come out top in the race that was held in Mutoko.
The Chinhoyi meet ushered Hazvinei Mudiro, Billy Mwanza and Malvern Wachenuka to the national rivalry.
In Chitungwiza, Ronald KazembE, Takudzwa Nyaruwata, Alfred Madhoha, Tapiwa Sibanda, Torai Zhemi, Nerzis Million, Patricia Ganya, Mildred Ngiza and Shamiso Tuwacha did well and are now duo for the next stage.
Sponsored by Delta Beverages, the national finals will be played in Masvingo province on 9 July after completion of provincial qualifiers at a venue to be announced in due course.
Week three games will see players from Marondera, Chegutu, Mvurwi, Gweru, Murambinda and Chiredzi carry their cue sticks in search national finals berth tickets
Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Beitbridge and Chivhu will be joined by Harare in hosting qualifiers for the weekend of 24 June.
The last qualifiers set for 1 July will be held in Kadoma, Hwange, Chipinge, Bindura and Masvingo.
The competition is open to participants above 18 years.
Registration is being done online by dialling *788# and following the instructions.
To qualify for the tournament, each participant is required to purchase four pints/cans or 4 quarts of a Carling Black Label beer, with ZIPA providing tokens.
Wadawu is on record saying participants will only be allowed to register at a single venue and will not be allowed to compete elsewhere in the event that they are knocked out of the tournament.
In the past, some players reportedly cheated the system by participating at multiple qualification venues in their bids to secure a national final ticket.
Tournament organisers are particular about presentation of players, with Wadawu, a renowned Bulawayo based pool administrator underscoring that: “No shorts, gumboot, slippers shall be allowed to be worn by players playing on the table. Wearing the above will lead to automatic loss of the game. All players shall wear a Delta shirt or t-shirt given during the registration process.”
