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CANCELLING DIXIE’S POOL LEAGUE IS FAIR

11/08/2020 08:11:00 Pholsile Hlophe

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MBABANE – Pool players competing in the 2020/2021 Dixie’s Pool League have welcomed the decision to cancel the league.

This decision was taken during the Manzini Regional Pool Association’s (MRPA’s) executive meeting held on Saturday at Mahlanya. Following about five months off the pool tables, cue-ball players from the various teams competing in the league felt that is was only fair to cancel the league so that they could have ample time to practise and prepare for a new one.
When all sports activities were suspended due to the spread of COVID-19, a majority of the teams had played a maximum of three games, with over 25 more games before putting the competition to bed.

Cancellation

Way-inn Pool Club player Thamsanqa ‘Bobo’ Hlophe said the cancellation of the league would work in the players’ favour since pool rooms were back to business and would allow players to practise. “Cancelling the league was a good decision considering that most players had been out of action since February. “You need to practise frequently in order to master the art of pool and win games. “A lot of players did not have access to pool venues, so now that these venues are open, they will be able to get back into shape,” said Hlophe. The new season is expected to start on the weekend of August 22, which gives the players a dozen more days to prepare.

One pool player, Nhlanhla Mndvoti, who plays for Figaredo Pool Club, felt that the suspension of pool among other sports drained the players’ spirit and they lost motivation. “This is time for clubs to restructure their teams because when the lockdown started, some players got discouraged and some even quit playing pool. This is the time for us to power and gear up for the next league season,” said Mndvoti. He disclosed that all clubs had been given the COVID-19 guidelines guarding safety during training and competitions. He, therefore, advised poll players to adhere to the regulations with specific emphasis on social distancing and observing good hygiene through the regular use of disinfectants and washing of hands with soap and running water.