Story by Mthokozisi Dube
THE stage is set for the All Africa Golf championships set to tee off at Bulawayo Golf Club this Tuesday.
The five-day amateur golf championship started with the teams having a feel of the course which received a facelift as part of preparations for Tuesday’s showdown.
The local organising committee is confident of a successful tournament, which is coming for the third time in Zimbabwe, with previous editions having been staged in Harare and the resort city of Victoria Falls.
“We are happy the teams arrived yesterday and they are having a feel of the course. We remain in high spirits that we will stage a successful tournament which will also help tell the Zimbabwean story through sports tourism,” said the local organising committee’s chairperson, Stalline Masiya.
The president of the Zimbabwe Golf Association, Martin Chikwana, commended the government and other stakeholders for adequately funding the tournament.
“We can now relax, but what was important for us was having all stakeholders with hands on the deck. Some countries that failed to come for the two previous editions are here today, which is a plus for us.”
Zimbabwe had to step in after Seychelles failed to stage to the tournament.
“We are satisfied by the level of preparations put up by Zimbabwe. The sport is growing here in Zimbabwe and we want all other countries to take a leaf from Zimbabwe. We have had a good working relationship with the Zimbabwe Golf Association and focus should shift to technical officials’ capacitation,” noted World governing body R&A’s representative Kevin Barker.
The last edition of the continent’s premier amateur golf tournament was won by Morocco.
Team Zimbabwe will also face stiff challenge from neighbours South Africa who have a good record in the championship.
Compared to the 20 countries registered to participate, 11 countries alongside hosts Zimbabwe will fight for honours.
