Sports Reporter
SIXTEEN teams are expected to battle for the inaugural GVZ Hwange District Pool tournament at the town’s leisure centre on Saturday.
The teams will be drawn from Hwange urban, Victoria Falls, Dete and villages surrounding the coal mining area.
Fikile Maligo, spokesman for the tournament’s organising committee, said they were expecting stiff competition from all participants as pool had become popular, even among rural folk.
“Pool has gained popularity throughout the district and even in rural areas there are people playing the game. It would not be a surprise if this tournament is lifted by a village team because there is plenty of untapped talent there,” said Maligo.
However, the real battle is likely to be between teams from Hwange urban and Victoria Falls that play the sport on a weekly basis.
The resort town has a number of professional players that represented Matabeleland North at the coveted Carling Black Label National Pool contest such as Batsirai Chikonyera and Wellington Chiweshe.
GVZ Leisure Centre director Kenneth Chiwanza said hosting the pool tournament is part of the outlet’s effort to increase its recreational activities by supporting the growth of sport in Hwange district.
“GVZ is one of the liveliest sports and leisure centres in Matabeleland North and it is prudent for us to ensure it keeps that status through constantly increasing sporting and recreational activities. It’s a win-win situation whereby both business and sport achieve a lot more in this partnership,” said Chiwanza.