adminFatima Bulla Sports Reporter
The Zimbabwe Golf Association have been challenged to ensure the awards to honour golfers, which were launched at Royal Harare yesterday, are sustained for years to come. Running under the theme ‘Celebrating Golf Excellence’, the inaugural Zimbabwe golf awards are part of an initiative to explore ways to promote the game.
Sports Commission director-general Charles Nhemachena said awards play a pivotal role to inspire athletes to excel.
“Awards play a pivotal role as a catalyst to enhance performance not only of players but coaches, umpires and administrators as well,” said Nhemachena.
“Players and coaches want to surpass their previous performance and it is important that you give them that recognition when they excel.
“I know that coming up with these awards is a mammoth task that requires human capital and resources.
“It is, therefore, reason for me to implore the corporate sector to partner ZGA in order to make this project success. Not only would we want it to be a one day success but to be sustainable.
“On behalf of the Sport and Recreation Commission I would like to congratulate the Zimbabwe Golf Association for coming up with these awards, it is a step in the right direction.
“Sport, by its nature, is competition driven and those who excel must be recognised in such awards.”
Fourteen categories have been identified which include the Lifetime Achievement and Golf Achievement awards.
Chairperson of the finance committee, Charles Makirimani, said there are sponsors who want to come in a big way to support the awards.
“To a greater extent corporates have realised the need to reward good golfers and golf administrators in a long time,” said Makirimani.
“We cannot really say who they are at the moment but telecommunication companies as well as manufacturing and trading companies are there.
“We are looking in excess of US$30 000 to US$40 000 as a start but obviously it is going to grow from that fund going onwards.”
Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Golf Awards adjudication committee, Muchadeyi Masunda, said there were a lot of people who have attained greatness in the sport in this country who needed to be recognised.
“Due recognition to a number of corporate sponsors has to be given because without their assistance I do not think many of the tournaments we have seen being hosted throughout Zimbabwe might have taken place,” said Masunda.
Some of the great players who could be recognised are Anderson Rusike, who won the inaugural Zimbabwe Open in 1984, and legendary golfer Nick Price, a multiple Major winner who was, at one stage, number one in the world.
The Zimbabwe Golf Association first vice- president, Boniface Chigorimbo, said they wanted to produce more world champions.
“We have had a few champions in the past and we believe we can do better as a golfing nation,” said Chigorimbo.
The proceeds from the golf tournament and dinner will go towards the ZGA developmental programmes.
Categories
◆Amateur Female Golfer of the Year
◆Amateur Man Golfer of the Year
◆Female Junior Golfer of the Year
◆Male Junior Golfer of the Year
◆Golf Development Program of the Year
◆Special Olympics Female Golfer of the Year
◆Special Olympics Male of the Year
◆Most Improved Female Golfer of the Year
◆Most Improved Male Golfer of the Year
Golf Achievement Awards
◆Life Time Golf Achievement Awards
◆Corporate Recognition Awards
◆Golf Reporter of the Year
◆Golf Publication of the Year
Online Reporter