All set for 2024 AAGTC official opening

PARTICIPATING teams for the 2024 All Africa Golf Team Championship (AAGTC) have arrived in Bulawayo for the premier continental showdown that gets underway at Bulawayo Golf Club today.

Teams started arriving in the City of Kings and Queens on Saturday with some touching down yesterday as the wait for the biggest amateur golf tournament in the continent is finally over.

Today, there will be the official opening ceremony and the practice round before the tournament tees off tomorrow morning.

In an interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub upon arrival at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport yesterday, Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) secretary general Michael Aggrey said they are looking forward to a successful week of golf that plays a part in unearthing new talents in the continent.

“This is the biennial amateur event for African Golf Confederation and arguably it’s our flagship event so we are pleased to be here. It cements the development that we are trying to achieve in Africa. We have a fair number of countries represented and we are hoping that we will showcase our skills and make sure we unearth some new talent as well. We are looking forward to the tournament and hope that we will have a successful week,” said Aggrey.

Kevin Barker, the Director of Golf Development at the R&A (Britain and Africa) concurred with Aggrey, saying tournaments such as the AAGTC play a crucial role in player development.

“This is the pinnacle of male amateur team golf in Africa and as such it is an important stepping stone for the players to test themselves against each other. Also, this will help them to see where they are in terms of their development and if they are ready to make the next step. It’s a really important competition,” said Barker

It is going to be a proud moment for Zimbabwe with flags of over 10 African countries hoisted at the iconic venue for the flagship tournament that will run throughout the course of the week with the fourth and final round taking place on Friday.

Zimbabwe last hosted the biennial continental showdown in 2017 at the magnificent Elephant Hills Golf Club in Victoria Falls.

Zimbabwe Golf Association (ZGA) president Martin Chikwana who also serves as AGC vice president said they are looking forward to hosting a successful event.

Chikwana called on not only the Bulawayo golfing community but every Zimbabwean to rally behind their team throughout the duration of the championship. Chikwana invited the Zimbabwean community to support this event and their team as it is more than just a golf tournament.

“It’s a crucial event for us. It goes beyond golf. It’s an opportunity to showcase what Zimbabwe is all about. We are bringing in close to 100 youngsters from across Africa. We have visitors coming from as far as Scotland to visit Zimbabwe for the first time. We are hoping that as they go back to their countries they will be able to share with the rest of the world what a beautiful country and people we are.

“It’s about tourism, it’s about team Zimbabwe, it’s about sharing with the rest of the world how beautiful our country is, how accommodating, and how social we are. So, there is so much at stake and I am hoping it’s an opportunity once again, that we can speak about the country that we all love,” Chikwana said.

The significance of the AAGTC parallels that of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in football and the Rugby Africa Cup, as it fosters unity, competitive spirit, and pride among African nations.

The previous event was held in Egypt in 2022 with Morocco emerging as the winners, dethroning perennial winners South Africa. Fans will not pay to enjoy the golf as it is free of charge to everyone.

The public has been encouraged to come in numbers and rally behind the sport and their team. — @brandon_malvin