MARGARET CHISANGA
Lusaka
MINISTER of Sport, Youth and Arts Elvis Nkandu said Government views sport as a vital part of national development.
Nkandu said sport promotes health and wellness, builds social cohesion, and is a growing economic sector that provides jobs and livelihood for many.
The minister said this in a speech read on his behalf by director of sport Gibson Muyaule during North vs South Golf Challenge in Lusaka on Saturday. Nkandu said it was positive to see that golf is attracting both the young and elderly as it is a policy of Government to promote wide participation in all sports disciplines from the grassroots to the elite level.
“It is a growing economic sector. I urge the gold fraternity to link up and network with local authorities in order to support local initiatives because the next great golfer could be waiting in the playground,” Nkandu, in a speech read for him by Muyaule, said.
He expressed gratitude to Vivo Energy Zambia for its unwavering partnership and commitment to growing sport in Zambia.
“Your support fuels competition, inspires excellence and lights up the sporting calendar,” Nkandu said.
Speaking earlier, Vivo Energy Zambia managing director Edward Walugembe said he was overwhelmed by the attendance and participation of golfers.
Walugembe pledged Vivo’s continued sponsorship of the event, which his company helped revive last year.
He said that next year’s edition should be held in Copperbelt Province.
Walugembe thanked ZGU for allowing North vs South Golf Challenge to be not only on its calendar but become the biggest event.
“It means a lot to see the cream of golfers play against each other,” he said.Lubesha said North vs South Golf Challenge was not just a tournament but unity and inspiration since it was being played during Zambia’s Independence week.
He thanked the Willie Kasempa-led organising committee for a well-attended tournament.
And South have upstaged North to win the tournament, revived last year through Vivo Energy Zambia’s sponsorship.
South polled a runaway 26 points against North, who could only garner 14 points in the Four-Ball-Better ball stableford competition.
In the pairs, Nachi Musonda and Paul Malambo won with 54 points while Willie Musonda and Leo Liambela were runnersup on 53 points.Chandrakant Vaghela, the 85-year-old golfer, was the stand-out performer owing to his age, finishing third at 50 points with his partner, Mayoor Patel.
Yusuf Mia and Nazir Pandor were fourth on 49 points, with Yousuf Essa and Gibson Phiri taking the fifth position on 48 points.
In the North vs South FourBall-Better-Ball Stableford competition, Killian Hapwita and Denmark Mulambo shot 38 points to edge Humphrey Chisanga and Stallian Daka by a point.
