Kaza Golf Classic for Elephant Hills

THE KAVANGO Zambezi Golf Classic 2016 edition will be hosted at the Elephant Hills Hotel Golf Course in Victoria Falls, on Saturday, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority as well as Exec Golf Solutions, partners since the inception of the initiative at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly in 2013 have confirmed.

A unique golf tournament which seeks to promote wildlife conservation through the sport of golf, the event is set to entertain, inspire and assist in raising consciousness on wildlife conservation activities in the Zimbabwean component of the Kavango-Zambezi (Kaza) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA). The Kaza TFCA is a collaborative transboundary conservation and tourism development initiative among Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Caroline Washaya-Moyo disclosed that a wide range of business sectors have partnered the brand since the inaugural edition and more are expected to come to the show this year. She said a junior golf development product was developed last year whereby schools from the surrounding and less privileged communities battle it out in Kaza Schools Golf Championships in the resort town. This platform according to Washaya-Moyo encourages youths to learn about wildlife conservation issues while facilitating talent identification and nurturing as well as empowering the youth through the sport of golf, a process which should groom them to be responsible citizens.

“The event has attracted participants from Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and Zimbabwe in previous editions. This year’s event in Victoria Falls promises to be bigger as preparations have begun in earnest. A total of 120 participants are expected compared to 67 from last year. The Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority is taking the lead amongst the five Kaza TFCA Partner Countries in promoting wildlife conservation activities through the sport of golf as this is destined to be the biggest golf tournament in the KAZA Region designated for that cause,’’ said Washaya-Moyo.

The corporate world, Government officials, diplomatic missions, celebrities, pensioners, social golfers and the youths have been encouraged to diarise the date and register to participate as well as partner the Kaza Golf Classic by contacting Zim Parks offices nationwide.