The Sunday News
Sisa Sihwa, Sports Reporter
Bulawayo women put up a spending show at the Midlands State University Open Table Tennis tournament, clinching first and second place in the event held in Gweru recently.
The teams that participated in the tournament that ran from September 30 to October 1 are Mashonaland East, Harare, Mashonaland West, Midlands, Manicaland and Bulawayo.
The two Bulawayo players won all their matches in the group stages and faced each other in the final.
Ashley Dlamini won gold in the open ladies’ category after beating Sibusisiswe Tshabalala from Harare in the semis and Princess Ncube in the final,
respectively. Ncube beat Hilda Chikarara from Harare in the semis to book a place in the final.
Dlamini overcame Ncube after storming to an unassailable three set lead in the best of five final.
“I am very thrilled about winning the MSU Open tourney and I am now preparing for the Zimbabwe Open Table Tennis,” she said.
The chairperson of Table Tennis in Bulawayo, Luba Ndlovu commended the performances displayed by members of the team at the tourney.
“It was a great performance by the two ladies considering their hard work and persistence before and throughout the tournament. We expected those results,” said Ndlovu.
The table tennis duo will be participating in the Zimbabwe Open Table Tennis Tournament next month in the capital.
“Such tournaments as the MSU Open and Zimbabwe Open Table Tennis assist players in rising up through national rankings in table tennis since rankings are made after every event is held,” he added.
