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Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE stage is set for what promises to be an exhilarating first edition of the Llorut Under-16 and Under-21 pool tournament, scheduled to take place in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb.
A brainchild of Thamsanqa Bhala, a tech entrepreneur and founder of Roundihmp — a business tool designed to help small businesses operate efficiently — the tournament aims to crown Cowdray Park’s pool champions.
As a semi-professional pool player, Bhala has a passion for the game and for youth development, which inspired him to create this initiative.
“Although my career is rooted in technology, I am also a semi-professional pool player with a strong passion for the game and for youth development. This passion inspired me to establish the Llorut Under-16 and Under-21 Pool Tournament, a competition designed to encourage young people to embrace competitive sports while highlighting the talent within our community. The name Llorut is derived from a children’s publication I previously ran, symbolising my ongoing commitment to empowering young people,” said Bhala.
Bhala added that this tournament is intended to foster a competitive spirit among the youth in Cowdray Park while also raising awareness about the game. It is self-funded by Bhala, who remains committed to providing the right platform for the youth, regardless of the financial challenges.
“The tournament was created to encourage a competitive spirit among young players, raise awareness of the sport of pool, and give the youth of Cowdray Park an opportunity to showcase their talent. By introducing age categories, the tournament ensures fair competition and allows younger players to develop their skills in a structured and supportive environment.
“The Llorut Tournament is self-funded, as my efforts to secure sponsorship have been unsuccessful. Despite this, I am determined to provide a platform for young players to showcase their skills, compete at a high level, and build their confidence,” he said.
The Llorut Tournament is divided into two categories: Under-16 and Under-21.
Players will compete in round-robin matches within their groups, ensuring everyone has multiple opportunities to play. The top players from each group will advance to a single-elimination knockout round.
The Under-21 final will be a race to three frames, making for an exciting and decisive conclusion. The winner of the Under-21 category will receive a professional-grade pool cue as their prize and the title of Cowdray Park Under-21 Champion.
