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Leonard Ncube
THE 15th World Military Golf Championships ended on a high note in Victoria Falls, with the International Military Sports Council (CISM) and world defence forces endorsing Zimbabwe as a safe, peaceful and hospitable country.
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) hosted the tournament last week at the Elephant Hills Golf Course, with 14 countries participating in the event.
It was the performance of Kenya’s sergeant Valine Akoth Ouma that left an indelible mark on the Elephant Hills Golf Course, as she became the first female military golfer to deliver perfect golf shots to win the hole in one category
Sgt Nicholas Crooler of Germany and Lance Corporal Khalifa Alkaabi of Bahrain also left their mark.
France’s Private Pauline Stein and Captain Fouguet Maude won gold and silver, respectively, in women’s individual prizes, with Canada’s Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer Johns getting bronze.
France won another gold in the women’s team, with Zimbabwe’s female team getting silver and Tanzania bronze.
In the men’s individual junior category, Sgt Niklees Stacevic of Germany won gold, while Major Benent den Engelman of Netherlands got silver and Canada’s Sgt Joel Simms settled for bronze.
Sultan Mubarak and Nasser Yakub, both of Bahrain, won gold and silver, respectively, in the senior men’s individual category, with Canada settling for another bronze through Michael Buzan.
Germany won gold in the men’s team, with Canada getting silver and Bahrain getting bronze. Fair play was won by Germany. At the same time, France won the Don Kues Challenge Cup.
The awards and closing ceremony was held at the Elephant Hills Resort entrance. It was marked by the lowering of the CISM flag that was hoisted on Monday.
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Philip Valerio Sibanda, who was the guest of honour, was handed the CISM plaque of honour for organising the 15th edition.
He was also individually conferred with the sign of sincere appreciation.
CISM secretary-general Navy Captain Roberto Recchia of Italy said the championships were a success as he heaped praises on ZDF.
“Teams from 14 countries from four different continents participated, and everything was just perfect,” he said.
“Perfect was also the high level of the organisation run by passionate and devoted personnel. I wish to congratulate and deeply thank the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the local organising committee that, in synergy with the CISM Golf Committee, demonstrated high professionalism in organising this championship.
“Thank you for your devotion, and your strong commitment has been highly appreciated. Well done Zimbabwe. Mission accomplished. It was incredibly amazing to visit your country, to taste your culture and to breathe the serenity of this place, to feel the warm touch of your kindness and courtesy, to meet new friends and to see again old ones.
“We will carry with us in our hearts your catching smiles, your cheerful eyes, your kind hospitality and your being so open-hearted. It will be impossible to forget this experience.”
Gen Sibanda said the tournament exhibited a strong competitive spirit among individuals and teams, all in the furtherance of CISM’s motto of enhancing friendship among individuals and countries through sport.
“I want to applaud the spirit of sportsmanship, comradeship, solidarity and mutual respect that was displayed by the participants,” he said.
“Sports, particularly team sports, engender purposeful and meaningful social relationships and also promote espirit de corps, which is critical in our day-to-day activities as military personnel. I want to believe that you had a competitive fun-filled and successful tournament, which should linger in our memories as we go back to our respective countries.”
Kenya will host the 16th edition.
Online Reporter