Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga [email protected]
MINISTER of Tourism Barbra Rwodzi has urged golfers set to represent Zimbabwe at the sixth edition of the International Pairs Golf Tournament in Tenerife, Spain, to deliver strong performances on the international stage.
Rwodzi was the guest of honour at the official launch of this year’s edition of the tournament, held at a local hotel on Friday night.
The qualifiers, whose winners will proceed to the international finals in Tenerife, Spain, in October, commenced 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 strengthen the link between sport and tourism while offering enriching experiences for golfers nationwide.
Rwodzi said the winners should aim to represent Zimbabwe with distinction and strive to raise the country’s profile internationally.
“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 Rwodzi.
Zimbabwe Golf Association president Blessmore Gandawa said the platform presents a significant opportunity for local golfers and is expected to enhance competitiveness within the sport. “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.
Sterling Group of Hotels, the title sponsor, general manager Shaurai Manyika said the company remains committed to 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.
