Zimpapers Logo

Midlands Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Pool Association (ZIPA) interim executive has resolved to include schools in its structures through the National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) and the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash).

This was revealed at a meeting in Gweru, whose main objective was to come up with a roadmap for elections to choose a substantive executive in June.

The two school associations will be part of ZIPA’s 18 affiliates with full voting rights. ZIPA interim chairman Trust Chifadza said incorporating schools will enhance talent identification and help nurture it at a tender age.

“We want to see pool being played in schools and at recreational centres. Pool has mainly been played in bars and what’s needed is to demystify the notion that it’s a game for drunkards,” said Chifadza.

“Once that’s done, we’ll be able to nurture pool talent at an early age in schools. That way we’ll be able to compete regionally and internationally.”

He said ZIPA wants to follow the South African model that has incorporated various stakeholders into the game resulting in the country winning the World Eightball Pool Federation pool tournament in 2009.

Sports and Recreation Commission director of sport development Joseph Muchechetere, who facilitated the meeting, said divergent views came out of the Gweru meeting, but a consensus had been reached.

“It was quite an interesting meeting because divergent views came up, mainly because stakeholders in pool had never been involved in an organised sports association, so we went through all the steps to ensure that they regularise their systems, clubs and other structures until they elect a substantive executive,” said Muchechetere.