adminTedious Manyepo Sports Reporter
A FIELD of 80 professional golfers are expected to converge at Royal Harare for the inaugural National Aids Council Revitalisation of HIV and Cancer Prevention Golf Tournament which tees off next month with an attractive purse of $30 000.
Speaking during the launch of the tournament yesterday, president of the Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association Gary Thompson said the event is going to be the second largest on the golfing calendar in terms of financial backing after the Zimbabwe Open.
“This is going to be the second largest tournament to be held at Royal Harare and I am sure it will attract between 60 to 80 professional golfers from the region.
“I want to assure the sponsors that every dollar of the purse will be used towards the betterment of the game,” he said.
Health and Child Care Minister David Parirenyatwa, who was represented by the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals chairperson Godfrey Sikipa, commended NAC for the sponsorship, which he said will go a long way in addressing the response to HIV and Aids to achieve the country’s objectives.
“I feel highly honoured to have been requested to officiate at this launch of a very strategic golf tournament, which aims at augmenting resources for the revitalisation of HIV and cancer prevention in the national response to HIV and Aids,” he said.
In-form golfer Scott Vincent, who is currently out of the country participating in the Canadian Tour, is expected to raise the country’s flag high in the tournament, which is expected to attract golfers from Zambia, South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana. A strong field of more than 100 amateurs will also gun for prizes on the final day of the NAC tournament.
NAC representative Raymond Yekeye said his organisation was committed to seeing the sport develop from grassroots level.
Online Reporter