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Director General, Sport and Recreation Commission, Colonel Nhemachena delivering his key note address of the Africom Zimbabwe Open at Royal Harare Golf Club on 18 April 2010

The Director General for Sport and Recreation Commission, Colonel Nhemachena, officially opened the Africom Zimbabwe Open 2010 amid pomp and fanfare at Royal Harare Golf Club on 18 April 2010. More than 100 invited guests attended the event. We detail below the speech that he delivered.

“I am very delighted and indeed honoured to address you on this special occasion which marks the official opening of the Africom Zimbabwe Open Golf Tournament 2010.
In the first instance, I would like to welcome you all to the tournament. A very special and warm welcome to all our visitors from the various countries. I am told we have 144 participants of whom 114 are from countries other than Zimbabwe. Please join me in extending the warm welcome to our visitors in our traditional way .... Mauya, Sethule, Welcome!

As Zimbabwe, we are very excited at hosting you as we re-launch the Zimbabwe Open. You may be aware that the last time we had the privilege of hosting esteemed professionals such as yourselves was in 2001. The absence of this tournament for the past 8 years created a serious and inconvenient void in our sporting calendar, and we will not want to endure the same pain again.

It is pleasing to note that golf is set to return to the Olympics after an absence of 112 years. There is something about the sport that whenever, and for whatever reason, it takes a back seat – it keeps coming back to the fore! As the saying goes – you can’t keep a good man down, and so it is with Golf – you can’t keep a good sport down. (I suppose the man in this case could refer to Tiger!)

This development, which has already been endorsed by the world’s best pros, will in my view go a long way in providing impetus for the development of the game. It will create yet another platform to showcase the talent that the world has to offer in golf, while at the same time inspiring those below to aim for the most coveted Olympic gold. To quote from Jack Niclaus “People of all walks of life will be inspired to play the game of golf, and play for sport’s highest recognition. For all sports, that has been an Olympic golf medal”.

I am relishing the possibility that some of the participants at this tournament will also make it to Rio 2016.
Zimbabwe is taking this opportunity seriously. The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee has made a commitment to work with the golf associations in the country to ensure that serious and concerted preparations for the country to qualify for Rio 2016 start in earnest. To this end we shall also encourage the participation in, and the hosting of many more tournaments to give our golfers the much needed competition. I can safely say on behalf of golf’s stakeholders in Zimbabwe that the Africom Zimbabwe Open in now here to stay – and it will grow bigger and better with each passing year.

Our visitors may wish to note that this event coincides with the 30th Anniversary of Zimbabwe’s Independence. So to us this tournament is very special as it coincides with a development that created equal opportunity for all Zimbabweans to partake in any sport of their choice. Thus, notwithstanding the fact that golf is considered as an expensive sport, it has witnessed phenomenal growth since our independence in 1980.

I want to pay special tribute to those who have been working tirelessly to ensure that kids, especially those from the disadvantaged communities can also try their hand at this beautiful game.

I am sure you will all agree that sport can empower our youths to become self-reliant and responsible citizens. It is therefore incumbent on those of us who have made it to create opportunities for and support the youth to be worthy champions and leaders of tomorrow.
While Zimbabwe has been short on financial resources to achieve the desired level of support for the development of the sport, there always has been an abundance of inspiration. We are indeed proud to have such renowned golf icons in the mould of Nick Price, Mark MacNulty, Tony Johnstone and Tongo Charamba among others. A lot of unsung heroes too numerous to mention have also made their contribution as volunteers, caddies and the like – and to them we are most grateful.

My address would not be complete without paying tribute to the sponsors of this tournament. I would like to convey our appreciation to Africom, the title sponsor of the Zimbabwe Open. We also acknowledge other anchor sponsors such as Econet, Innscor and Delta and key sponsors being Zimplats and SAA and others whom I might have inadvertently omitted. Thank you for bringing back this spectacle and please let’s keep the flag flying high for eternity!

A final word to our visitors: Zimbabwe boasts of a number of world class golf courses. Some of them are conveniently situated in our tourist resort areas such as Victoria Falls, where one can have a life-time experience viewing the majestic Falls which is a world heritage site and one of the seven wonders of the world; and the scenic Nyanga and Vumba resort areas among others. Please take time to visit these areas if you can. Alternatively, you may want to return with families and friends to have a good time.

I am sure by now you have witnessed the tranquil environment that Zimbabwe offers and the hospitality of its people. If you are in doubt, please come back again for verification.
In conclusion, I am very hopeful that you will have a very good tournament.

I am told the course is in very good shame and that everyone stands a good chance to win. Some, however, may have their victories delayed until the next tournaments but do not despair. Like I said earlier, the Africom Zimbabwe Open is here to stay.
Please enjoy yourselves and may the best man win.

It is now my singular honour to declare the Africom Zimbabwe Open Golf Tournament 2010 officially launched.
I thank you.”

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