Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, has challenged golfers, who will represent the country at the sixth edition of the International Pairs Golf Tournament in Tenerife, Spain, to make their mark at the tourney.
Minister Rwodzi was the guest of honour at a ceremony, where the qualifiers for a place at the tournament in Spain, were launched.
The qualifiers began on Saturday across several golf courses throughout the country.
Running under the 2026 theme, “Explore Zimbabwe— One Fairway at a Time,” the tournament seeks to further strengthen the connection between sport and tourism while providing memorable experiences for golfers throughout the country.
Rwodzi said the winners should go and represent the country well and try their best to put the country on the map.
“As a country, we take this as a deliberate strategy aimed at promoting domestic tourism and showcasing Zimbabwe’s diverse golfing and tourism destinations.
“We wish all those who will qualify to go out and represent the country well and sport plays a crucial role in tourism and we are behind such events.
“We will continue supporting such initiatives,” said Min Rwodzi.
Zimbabwe Golf Association president, Blessmore Gandawa, said the opportunity is very good for local golfers.
“The International Pairs Golf Tournament has grown to become one of Zimbabwe’s premier amateur golf event which has seen support from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Sterling Group of Hotels, Evolution Insurance and the Zimbabwe Golf Association.
“The 2026 edition marks the sixth edition of the tournament with previous winners having travelled to Spain, Portugal and South Africa.
“Since its introduction in Zimbabwe, the tournament has continued to expand in participation.
“Specifically designed to cater for an average social golfer, who constitutes approximately 90% of the golfing population, the tournament provides ordinary club golfers with an extraordinary opportunity to compete on an international stage,” said Gandawa.
Shaurai Manyika, the general manager of the Sterling Group of Hotels, who are the title sponsors, said they are committed to continue supporting the tournament.“It is our pleasure as Sterling Group of Hotels to partner the International Pairs World Finals.
“Over the past years, we have worked with International Pairs whose finals has been hosted in different parts of the world and we will continue for the next three years.
“Golf encourages participants and supporters to explore different regions of Zimbabwe, thereby contributing to increased domestic tourism,” said Manyika.
Mathew Masinge