Harare Open Golf Tourney returns

20 Jul, 2018 - 00:07 0 Views
Harare Open Golf Tourney returns Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni (centre) flanked by golf coach Simon Murungweni (left) and Harare acting town clerk Engineer Hosiah Chisango (right) presents a cheque during the revival of Harare Open Golf tournament in Harare on Tuesday

eBusiness Weekly

Chipo Sabeta
After a four-year absence, the Harare Open golf tournament returns to the local golfing calendar, amid high optimism that it would be a great marketing tool for Harare, formerly a Sunshine City that has now paled into insignificance.

The Harare Open golf tourney is also thought to have potential to generate revenue for the country’s economy and create temporary employment for some people.

Formerly known as the Golden Pilsner Harare Open, the tournament tees off on August 9 and 10.

The Harare City Council funded to tourney to the tune of $20 000.

Speaking at the official launch at Chapman Golf Club, Harare mayor Ben Manyenyeni said he is optimistic that the event will bring in millions of dollars into the economy as well as develop local golfers to compete internationally.

Manyenyeni, a golf enthusiast, is also confident that the tourney will emulate some tournaments in neighbouring countries which have gone on to be part of the European Tour.

“I am very proud to be among those giving birth to this noble idea. We are happy to support ZPGA (Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association) with the Harare Open and I believe it is going to change the face of golf in the country as well as promote the Sunshine City,” said Manyenyeni.

Manyenyeni believes the Harare Golf tournament has potential to become as big as the Johannesburg Open, The Tshwane Open and the South Africa Open, which are projects of three metropolitan municipalities of Johannesburg, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni.

He said apart from their geographical location, the three South African tournaments are European tournaments attracting the world’s best golfers.

Manyenyeni wants the Harare Open to such high calibre of golfers in the “near future”.

“These events bring in millions of dollars into the South African economy and they are developing local golfers.

“I am recommending that the City leadership and the ZPGA management invest a small budget for look-and-learn opportunities with the municipalities who run these highly successful global tournaments, next door.

“I invite the organisers of the various golfing tournaments and City of Harare to urgently tabulate a programme and strategy to achieve this dream. With this launch, I wish to assure you that what we are launching is set to become a million dollar global project which this City and this country will be proud of,” said Manyenyeni.

Once one of the most sought after local tournaments, drawing players from Zambia and South Africa, the tournament is expected to attract the country’s top professionals.

It is also expected to have some foreign flavour.

However, Manyenyeni emphasised the need to use sporting budgets in a clean, transparent and accountable manner.

He further called for the need to embrace all sporting disciplines to win back the hearts of residents.

This comes amid growing concerns of dilapidated sporting structures and ratepayers’ outcry over poor service delivery.

“A city must be a city not a village. Given our low revenue collection versus very high demands for service delivery in key areas, I have made enough noises about our embarrassingly skewed sports budgets.

“That call remains valid against the expectations that a city must be a city, and definitely sports and the arts are part of any modern city.

“What we need are sober budgets, budgets which we can defend to our residents, our ratepayers and other stakeholders. We need to use our sporting budget in a clean, smart, transparent and accountable fashion,” said Manyenyeni.

He also said it was important to ensure that swimming pools built in high density suburbs over 40 years ago should not be left to dry.

Manyenyeni also wants golf courses, tennis courts and volleyball courts to be taken good care of.

ZPGA president Gary Thompson appreciated the gesture by the Harare City Council.

Thompson believes jobs will be created during the tournament, improve the city’s image and change the long held perception that golf is an elite sport.

“As golfers we want everyone to come and be part of us. We want to see footballers and athletes coming to play golf. As part of our mandate, we want to bring back a good image for the association so that sponsors can come on board and our partners can have confidence in us.

“We are grateful to Harare City for showing confidence in us.

“Zimbabwe has so much talent, but it is suppressed by lack of game time and we are happy the Harare Open is back.”

Under Thompson’s leadership, ZPGA has brought on board JM Busha and National Aids Council golf tournaments this year.

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