MOPANI DEVELOPS JUNIOR GOLFERS
MOPANI Copper Mines Plc (MCM) has reaffirmed its commitment to develop junior golf in Zambia by investing in the infrastructure.
Acting chief executive officer, Chris Vermeulen, said investment in young golfers would improve Zambia’s performance in the sport.
In 2015, MCM established a Junior Academy at Nkana Golf Club, and enrolled over 100 children from various communities in Kitwe.
The firm also raised K100, 000 during the 2017 Zambia Open for the Academy.
“These monies will go towards procuring golfing equipment, paying for education for some of the junior players, and meeting expenses for junior golfers attending national and international events,
“The vision for the Academy is to target predominantly disadvantaged children in the neighboring community, principally Kandabwe township of Kitwe, and offer them an opportunity to engage in the sport of golf,” said Vermeulen.
He said it was through such initiatives that the young people could be nurtured into excellent citizens who would contribute positively to the nation.
Vermeulen said the young golfers have tremendously improved their performance at school. “These children are potential future employees of Mopani Copper Mines as we forge ahead with our massive $1.2 billion capital expansion programme, and we hope that many of these will join us as they come of age. Not forgetting, of course, that we are also looking for future Zambian golf champions,” he said. Top Zambian golfer Madalitso Muthiya hailed Mopani for investing in golf.
“No doubt, the Nkana Junior Golf Academy facilities are the best in Zambia and from what I have seen this is a centre of excellence for junior golf development in the country.
“I was impressed by the passion and commitment from these kids. I have no doubt that very soon some of the best golfers will be produced from Nkana Golf Club,” Muthiya said.