DIPLOMATS GOLF IS A BIG HIT
Ambassadors of nine countries showcase their skills on the greens of Jorhat.
The Assam International Diplomats Invitation Golf Meet - 2014 golf meet in association with The Sunday Guardian which was held on Saturday started on a high note. Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam did the honour of tee off along with Jonathan Wutawunashi, the Ambassador of Zimbabwe, who is the dean of diplomatic corps in India, in the presence of Ambassadors of nine countries.
This rare golf meet conducted at the Kaziranga Golf Course marked the first time that a host of luminaries from the diplomatic world had taken to the greens. The diplomats were very competative and gave the big crowd a good session of scintillating golf.
The most interesting aspect about this tournament was the fact that there were no winner. The one day meet was more about a friendly atmosphere where all the competitors enjoyed their game in the beautiful and picturesque Kaziranga Golf Course.
The contestants were all praise for the excellent facilities available during the one day meet.
Jonathan Wutawunashi, the Ambassador of Zimbabwe said, it was a ‘positive conspiracy’ that was hatched by the Tarun Gogoi and The Sunday Guardian, to expose members of the diplomatic corps to the touristic assets with which the state of Assam is so richly endowed has succeeded in a spectacular way.
“We saw the rich diversity of wildlife in Kaziranga National Park, the impressive commitment to the highest standards in education at Kaziranga University, the burst of human joy in the cultural presentations in song, dance had taken our breath taken by the beautiful combination of the golf course in Kaziranga Golf Course, Jorhat and the tea gardens around, I believe I can see nowhere else in the world.”
He went on to add, “The warm hospitality extended to us sealed the deal we are certainly going to be the ambassadors for beautiful Assam, and it will be easy because peaceful. Serene, beautiful Assam has a compelling story to tell to the whole world.”
On her part,Milena Santana- Ramire, Ambassador of Venezuela – “Assam, It’s the harmony of balance in life, peace and hospitality. We have been greeted with a smile in the face and a package of everything that Assam offers to the tourists. Its an unforgettable experience.”
Nguyen Thanh Tan, Ambassador of Vietnam said, “I ve been playing golf in more than 40 golf courses in Vietnam, Australia, Thailand and India. I recognize this golf course is particular. I enjoyed fine weather, quite time and the nature around. It gave me more pleasure. I am very grateful to the inviting me and my wife to this part the country and we shall remember forever the time we had with the Chief Minister and my Ambassador friends.”
H E Benito B Valeriano, Ambassador of Phillipines, said,” Upon our arrival in Jorhat , we felt the warmth we have been missing in Delhi. We were met and assisted by kind and hospitable people. This place reminds me of the Phillipines. Another thing is the good food served to us. On behalf of the Phillipine delegation, we would like to thank the organisers of this memorable occasion. The visit is also memorable due to the participation of 9 Ambassadors/ High Commissioners including the Deputy head of delegation of the EU posted in Delhi.
He added, “during my tenure as Ambassador to India, I have golfed with a senior ministry of External Affairs official. However., it is my first visit to the state of Assam and by far it has been the been the most scenic golf course I have been to,” he said.
The organisers expressed their thanks to VS Bhaskar, Principal Secretary Tourism and his team.at the ATDC, and Oil India and others for making this tournament a grand success.