National golf team departs for Zone Six Championship
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday April 14, 2015 11:21
Eight golfers, Sipho Abueng, David Masole, Leroy Pearmain, Shane Granger Junior, Kesentseng Dube, Walter Seokemong, Nabeel Desai and Peter Podise are representing Botswana.
The annual African championship has attracted defending champions South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda (hosts), Swaziland, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Kenya and Botswana.
Speaking at the sending off and kit presentation ceremony held at Blue Tree yesterday, the team captain Peter Podise said the team was ready to tee off at the par 72 Kitante course.
The tournament tees off from Tuesday to Saturday.
For his part, Botswana Golf Union (BGU) past president, Dr Andrew Hall said the union needed to work hard in improving the state of the women’s national team.
He said most people believe that golf is a male dominated sport and that has to change. He urged the golfers to go out there and represent the country well.
Golf veteran, John Marudu said the players must feel proud of representing the country at the African event.
He said being given such an opportunity should be appreciated. He advised the golfers not to feel threatened by their opponents.
He said Zone Six started in 1982 and Botswana was the first country to be the host. Marudu said players should not put themselves under pressure, but do what they have been taught by their coach.
“The BGU has done a lot in terms of equipping you with the necessary skills needed for the championship.
“You should utilise that and everything will fall into place,” he said.
Meanwhile, BGU executive committee member, Martin Mogomela said the trip was expensive and they needed around P200,000 for it. He pointed out that the amount was almost 40 percent of the grant the BGU gets from Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC).
He said they were able to meet the costs of the trip by the assistance they received from various sponsors.