The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata Senior Reporter
ACTION resumed at various venues over the weekend as the 22 teams in the Mutare Pool League locked horns in the second half of the season. The league took a three-week long break on the half way mark to pave way for one-man tournaments that were successfully held in Sakubva and Dangamvura respectively. The league’s fixtures secretary, Andrew Kawe, revealed this week that all the teams fulfilled their weekend fixtures.
“All the teams played their games, save for Acid from Chikanga, which has since pulled out of the league. “We are happy to inform you that our teams have adapted to the new timetable. “Before the break, we used to start our league games at 4pm, but the times have been changed to 2pm with 3pm being the cut off time.
“What it means is that the games are supposed to start at 2pm and a walkover on a team can only be announced at 3pm. So we urge our teams to stick to the times and be punctual. The times were changed after clubs complained that the games were starting late, resulting in some fixtures being played well into the dead of the night,” he said.
The league’s chairman Steven Chingwingwi said clubs that did not send their players to take part in the two one-man tournaments that were played during the break will be fined.
“Those that do not pay the fines will lose points and that will affect their positions on the log. By imposing fines on clubs that do not participate in competitions, we are trying to instil discipline and compel them to second players to enable the successful hosting of such tournaments. We can only attract meaningful corporate sponsorship if we move as a united league with all the clubs taking part in events that we come up with.
“No sponsor would want to risk his/her investment on an event with poor attendance and by imposing such fines we are sending the right message to the clubs.
“Generally, we were happy with how the two tournaments were held and we shall take on board concerns that were raised by clubs to ensure that we come up with polished competitions in the future,” he said.
In the weekend games, Pachedu walloped ZPCS 10-3, while Zhakshiraq beat Nyamuru 8-5.
Buffaloes lost 5-8 to Legends, while Fantasy were surprised 8-5 by a resurgent Neighbourhood in Dangamvura. Masikati and Snipers narrowly won their games 7-6 against Vacphone and Douggies respectively.
Beer Garden could not withstand the heat against an in-form Blackstars with an 8-5 drubbing, while Latent beat Machikichori 10-3.
Dangamvura Hotel beat Soul City 7-6 and their neighbours, Muunze overcame Curvelake Junior 7-6 .
