ZAMBIA has reaped a gold medal in the women's pairs at the on-going Seven-Nation African States bowling tournament at Umhlali Country Club in Durban, South Africa.

Foster Banda and Matimba Like put up a scintillating performance to reap 10 points after defeating their opponents from Botswana, Kenya, Swaziland, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Banda and Like, both of Lusaka's Centrals, only lost one game to a pair from Namibia 12-17 in the six-day tournament that has eight events and is scheduled to end on Saturday.

The duo trounced their Swaziland opponent 31-12, edged Zimbabwe 20-19 and Botswana19-18 then handed hosts South Africa a 25-21 defeat and Kenya 25-12. Their outing in the women's trips was however not successful as they could only defeat Botswana (24-15) and Kenya (16-12) and losing to Swaziland (14-16), Zimbabwe (10-27), South Africa (16-19) and Namibia (10-26).

Zambia had mixed fortunes in the men's pairs and trips, losing all six matches in the latter category and pulling three wins from six in the former where Botswana, Kenya and Zimbabwe were the casualties. Tournament debutant, Christie Kapata of Lusaka Club, grabbed his first victory on the opening day of the competition on Sunday in the men's singles when he brushed aside his South African opponent 21-18.

Zambia is being represented in the women categories by Banda, Like (both Centrals, Lusaka), Eddah Mpezeni (Kansenshi, Ndola), Everlyn Mpepesa (Konkola, Chililabombwe) and Mary Ntonongela (Nchanga, Chingola).

Kapata (Lusaka Club), Danny Sula (Chibuluma), Eddie Mumba (Chibuluma, Kalulushi),Godfrey Chanda (Konkola), Harry Musonda (Nchanga) and Trajan Mpepesa (Konkola) are playing in the men's categories.