Patricia Ganya, Lindelani Gumbo win the Carling Bl...

Patricia Ganya, Lindelani Gumbo win the Carling Black Label pool tournament

Lindelani Gumbo of Bulawayo, third from left, and Patricia Ganya of Chitungwiza, second from right, emerged as the first prize winners of the carling Black Label Pool Tournament held in Masvingo over the weekend

Philemon Jambaya

RECENTLY In Masvingo

It is carling, my darling as some might want to say and their payoff line is Champions deserve champions beer.

It was a festival of drinking and merrying in the ancient city of Masvingo over the weekend, where the nation’s pool champions converged to compete in the Carling Black Label pool tournament 2023 finals.

Back in the days, it was only a game of men who will be imbibing in different drinking holes but Delta Beverages, through their Carling Black Label brand, has created an environment that allows women to also participate in the beautiful game of pool.

For a single mum, Patricia Ganya of Chitungwiza, who came first in the tournament after beating Alice Chihota, also of Chitungwiza, 5-2 she has been using the sport to feed her family.

Ganya has several roles in the pool fraternity, she is also a coach, umpire, and player, in the art she has learned over the years.

Some ladies are popular for using their bodies to feed their families but Ganya has been using her brains and hands to perfect the art of playing pool.

“I am a single parent and have been using this sport to send all my children to school.

“I am happy that I have finally won the grand prize. I deserve to be among the top players because I have nurtured a lot of talent through grassroots initiative.

“Coming into the finals, I knew this was my moment, and I am happy that I beat my personal record,” said Ganya.

Delta Corporation corporate affairs executive, Patricia Murambinda, said the event was a success.

“We are happy to bring cheers to our customers and impact on their lives through such tournaments,” said Murambinda.

In the men’s category, Lindelani Gumbo of Bulawayo scooped the first prize and attributed his win to hard work and dedication to the game.

“This is a dream come true. I am happy to win the National Championships. I have been working so hard since I made it through the qualifiers. This is a huge boost for me.

“I will share the proceeds with all my children and hope to maximise with the pool table to fend for my family,” said Gumbo.

The winners walked away with US$1 500, pool table, pool stick and some Black Label merchandise.