FootGolf grows in leaps and bounds

Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FOOTGOLF – a relatively new sport – is gaining popularity in Zimbabwe, as evidenced by the recent Zimbabwe FootGolf Open Tournament in Bulawayo, which drew 66 players from across the country.
The hybrid sport – a fusion of football and golf – involves kicking a football into a cup in as few shots as possible.
The Zimbabwe FootGolf Open Tournament, held at Harry Allen Golf Course, served as a qualifier for the upcoming Victoria Falls regional tournament, scheduled for November 20 to 25.
The regional tournament promises to be thrilling, with confirmed participants from South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Other countries from outside Africa are also expected to join.
Zimbabwe FootGolf Association president, Daniel Kuwengwa, said the tournament was successful and surpassed their expectations in terms of numbers and quality of play.
“We are thrilled that the Bulawayo tournament drew 66 FootGolf players from all the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe. Given the
sport’s relative newness in Zimbabwe, we did not anticipate such a strong
turnout, but it is clear that FootGolf is gaining popularity rapidly,” he said.
In the junior boys’ category, Prince Makuwire from Chitungwiza took the top spot, while Keith Savanhu from Marondera secured second place.
Michael Moyo from Kwekwe came third.
In the junior girls’ category, Princess Mabara of High Glen scooped the first position, while Nokutenda Maizivei also of High Glen, came second.
Kaylin Mherembere of Marondera was third.
In the senior men category, Eleven Tadiwa Kambizi, of Guruve snatched pole position, while Simbarashe Kambizi of Guruve emerged as the runner-up.
Tadiwa Mange came third.
For the senior women category, Beauty Mushave of High Glen emerged the winner, while Marginal Majoko of Empafara came out second.
Betty Mashinganyika of Marondera was third.
In the men senior category, Biggy Chadyoka of Gutu came out first, while Oliver Mutero, of Bulawayo Central, was second.
Washington Moyo of Kwekwe was third.
For the senior plus women’s contest, Angelica Garira, of Mazowe 2, emerged the winner, while Nomalanga Nyoni of Bulilima came second.
Diniwe Dube of Mberengwa was third.
In the senior plus men category, Nyachowe Stanslous from Mt Darwin emerged victorious, while Kuwengwa from Warren Park took second place.
Senator Eleven Kambizi from Guruve secured third position.
Kuwengwa expressed optimism about the sport’s future in Zimbabwe, saying: “The high level of competition at the recent tournament demonstrates the bright future of FootGolf in Zimbabwe. We are confident that we will hold our own against international opponents when we meet them in competition,” he said.