THE Aristocratic Team Association (ATA) is waging a relentless war against drug and substance abuse with the express intention of having a narcotic incident-free cue sport by the year 2035.
ATA, the brainchild of Sladen Tangi Mkondo ,affectionately known as Doc Mkondo in pool circles has an all-encompassing targeted strategy to develop new players with a drug-free mindset and groom the next generation of unflinching sports leaders.
This noble mutually beneficial vision, according to him is inevitably achievable as ATA has almost 90% footprint, influence and reach to structures of the entire pool fraternity in the country.
"Currently, we are seeking sponsorship so that we can take our programmes and our anti-drug and substance abuse campaign to all the provinces as this would shape the future and align with our avowed Vision 2030/35 in cue sport," he said.
ATA was mooted in January 2020, but Doc Mkondo entered the pool fraternity like a duck takes to water in 2008.
"At that time, pool in Zimbabwe was played mainly for fun and only a few people played it at a professional level. The person who introduced me to pool was Lewis Munyama and from that time, my journey in cue sport began and is now virtually unstoppable," he added.
Currently, numerous thriving provincial pool structures in Zimbabwe revolve around the initiatives that were mooted and introduced by Mkondo.
In Harare alone, he is the founder of the average tournament, weekly tournament for elite players, below average for upcoming players as well as the ladies and masters tournaments.
These platforms were fervently created to give every category of player a chance to compete and grow hence cue sticks are billed to endlessly rattle and pocket the black ball with gusto, the ATA supremo being the major source of inspiration and trend-setter of note.
ATA's development agenda of cue sport in the country is diverse in application and strategy but the Aristocratic Team Association never loses sight of intertwining it with the nucleus of the desire to fight drug and substance abuse, a vice that has threatened to take over pool with the impact of a sledgehammer and drive players into extinction in the country.
"As leaders in the pool fraternity, we have a duty to guide our youth. Our vision is to have a drug-free environment in pool circles by 2035.
Through our media platforms and tournaments, we will continue to push the message of “No to Drugs” until it effectively simmers and is fully embraced by the younger generation," said ATA.
Doc Mkondo is a miner by profession and is proud to operate in Zimbabwe."
Mining is a key sector and it is estimated that 70% of Zimbabwean youth are employed through mining and related activities.
His business enables him to re-invest in sport and community development hence the concept of giving back to the society in line with the tenets of corporate social responsibility are not alien to him.
Through his association ,he has sponsored massive high profile pool tournaments that resonate with Zimbabwean and African pride across many provinces, including Manicaland, Masvingo, Harare, Mashinaland West, Mashinaland East and Midlands.
On social media, Doc Mkondo is among the most respected and followed figures in the pool fraternity and that reach helps in promoting the sport and attract more players.
ATA was formed by Mkondo in January 2020 with the main idea of developing new players with a drug-free mindset and to groom the next generation of leaders.
The ATA mogul is based in Harare and for him, pool is more than a sport, but is also a gentleman’s game that connects people across age groups.
"My motivation to play and administer pool comes from my mentor, Mudhara (Tichareva) Zeke, the president of the Zimbabwe Pool Association (Zipa). His leadership continues to inspire me," he said.
Pool in Zimbabwe thrives because of individuals who come together and use their resources to sponsor players.
"Unlike soccer, we do not yet have one main corporate sponsor. I therefore take this opportunity to appreciate our sponsors Mudhara Zeke, Boss Tate, Boss Tawaz, Boss Rass, Mudhara Nevsun, Mudhara Bushu, Boss Dzvore, Boss Duri, Boss Zhubha, Boss Teddy and many more. Without them, pool would not be where it is today and players would not be competing for such big prizes," said Sladen Tangi.
Sladen has urged all upcoming players to be disciplined, be humble, and be serious as well as respect elders in the pool fraternity.
"Look at champions like Eshca Chimbwanda, aka Zim 1, Malvern Mukonza, aka Maluva, Timothy "Sakala" Onida, Charles “Macement” Mariyano and Pakanati “Paka” Jimu. They are focused and professional and they stay away from drugs as the future of pool is in their hands," he said.
Mkondo said that they are building more than just champions.
"We are building character, unity and a legacy as well. With continued support from sponsors and leadership from the fraternity, Zimbabwe pool will continue to grow and compete at the highest level," said Mkondo.