By Evance Chisiano

Zomba, May 26, Mana: Malawi Pool Association (MAPA) in the Eastern Region has elected Moses Kambeleswa as chairperson during elections that took place on Saturday at Masuku Lodge in Zomba, where 36 representatives from 18 pool clubs cast their votes.

Kambeleswa won with 29 votes while his contender, Frank James Gwara, got nine votes and eventually, as the runner-up, became vice chairperson of MAPA in the east after none came forward to compete for the position of vice chairperson.

The meeting also elected Kayomdo Silumbu, who got 24 votes, as general secretary against Wales Timothy and Michael Ndewele who got eight and seven votes respectively.

With the eight votes, Timothy automatically came second to Silumbu as vice general secretary.

In addition, Steven Chithumba got elected as technical director after scooping 19 votes against Leonard Mussa and James Kapalamula who got 12 and six votes respectively.

The eastern region pool clubs also voted Limbikani Chikapa as treasurer general with 29 votes, and his contender Moses Chazara got eight votes.

Charity Symon was elected woman representative with 17 votes whereas Martha Magomero got 15 votes through the secret ballot.

Accepting his position, Kambeleswa pledged to promote the game of pool in the eastern region and called on other office bearers and pool clubs to unite for the good of the game.

“I am happy that l have won. I pledge that l will go as far as Monkey Bay to ensure that pool is competitive in all corners of the region,” the newly elected chairperson said.

MAPA President Saulos Thindwa described the elections as free and fair and congratulated new office bearers for winning the trust of pool clubs and pledged that his organization will work with all the regional structures as a way of promoting pool in Malawi to make it competitive.

Thindwa therefore called on the newly elected Eastern Region MAPA officials to maintain discipline in their undertakings so that pool standout above all the games.

“Pool is very popular such that one cannot travel a kilometre without seeing a pool table. The game is everywhere and we are here to make it more popular than ever,” Thindwa added.

Pool clubs from Balaka, Liwonde and Zomba took part in the polls.