By Dumisani Ndlovu
Although independence in Zimbabwe brought about sporting opportunities for the majority of black Zimbabweans who had no such chances before the country was liberated,Some sport disciplines like lawn bowls remained reserved for those of a certain skin colour and it took years for the majority in the country to break through.
The 58 year old Gweru based Jabulani Sibanda, who has several accolades, medals and trophies becomes the first black player to represent Zimbabwe in international bowling championship.
Born on 15 March 1965 in Nkayi, in August 2023 Sibanda is set to make his debut for Zimbabwe at the 2023 bowling World Cup, hosted by Australia. The sport’s pinnacle international competition will be played from August 29 to September 10, 2023.
In an exclusive interview, Sibanda who was on cloud nine for being selected to represent Zimbabwe at the white dominated sport said “I am extremely happy to represent my country at such a high level.Jabu and another guy from Bulawayo are the first black people to make it to the national team.
“The problem with the minority sport, in Zimbabwe is serious lack of sponsorship. We find it difficult to raise funds for the travelling costs”.
Sibanda who opened doors for other black players, started his career in 2005 said it was not an easy journey. The bowling expert, who said was taught by his former boss, was quick to appeal for help to cover travelling and related logistics costs. He is set to raise about US$5000.
“Since I am not only representing Midlands but Zimbabwe as a nation, am appealing for help as my and the entire team’s intention is to bring the championship home,” he said.
Through his superb skills and groundbreaking achievements, Sibanda said it was his hope that the recognition can serve as inspiration that someone’s background did not matter that much.
“The accolade will also hopefully mark an era in history that proves that you can come from nowhere and reach your goal and beyond, and open the doors for more black bowling players, and gave them hope that they too can achieve great things,’’ said Sibanda.
According to an article written by Aidan Davis, in 2021, the World Bowls Championships will be staged on the Gold Coast in 2023, more than three years after it was originally planned to be held.
The Controlling body World Bowls (WB), host nation Bowls Australia (BA) and principal partners Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and Major Events Gold Coast (MEGC) confirmed that the sport’s pinnacle international competition will be played from August 29 to September 10, 2023, some 1179 days after it was first meant to be contested before COVID-19 postponements.
“Originally scheduled to commence on May 26, 2020, the event first suffered two postponements to its scheduling and was then ultimately cancelled due to travel restrictions impacting the 36-attending nations”
“Organisers have undertaken to hold the first staging of a revised competition format in 2023, which will move to a biennial rather than quadrennial staging and do away with all barrier qualifying events to increase global participation, across the three previous planned Gold Coast clubs; Broadbeach, Helensvale and Musgrave, “read the article.
BA Chief Executive Officer Neil Dalrymple was quoted as confirmed that the benchmark international competition would occur on the Gold Coast in 2023 was a coup for the region and for the sport of Bowls in Australia.
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