By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –
WITH six weeks remaining before hosting the 2014 All-Africa Junior Golf Challenge, the organising committee has stepped its efforts in mobilising funds to meet the K350,000 deficit needed before the tournament tees off next month.
The committee has since lined up a fundraising golf tournament at the Chainama Golf Club next weekend where it hopes to raise money to cover its K405,000. Fundraising committee chairperson Jean-Pierre Josephine said so far only K50,000 has been raised for the tournament that will attract 16 countries.
Josephine said the committee was hoping to raise K200,000 from the corporate day fundraising tournament set for March 14, to go towards the All-Africa Junior Challenge that will run from April 27 to May 2.
South Africa are the champions while Zambia managed a third place finish at the last competition which was the best ever for Zambia.
Josephine said at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the committee was up to the task of raising the K405,000 adding that his team was working round the clock to ensure the money was raised.
“It’s is an honour that Chainama has been given right to host this important continental competition and the committee put up to raise funds is doing a great job. Next week, there would be a fundraising tournament here at Chainama.
“We have a number of companies that have pledged to take part in the tournament and thereby help in sponsorship.
“And I must state here that junior golfers do not earn money so all the money is for logistics and hospitality of the visiting teams,” he said.
Some of the corporate that have already signed up for the tournament are the Zambia National Service, Zambia Army, Conservative Farming Unit, Ngasa Pharmaceuticals, Lafarge, Tractor Mark, Primetime and Madison Asset Finance.
And committee vice chairperson Chongo Kasongole said the committee was still looking at other ways of raising more money for the competition adding that the slot for tournament flagship bearer (main sponsor) was still open.
“We are still looking for a main sponsor and that branding is available with a sponsorship of K120,000. We have also sent out letter to other companies and we are also looking for material and service sponsorship,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambia Junior Golf Association assistant director south, Chris Mulenga said that his organisation was also working hard at putting a team that should go into camp later this month.
He said the bulk of the Zambian players that won the Tri-Nation Championship three months ago would be in the mix for selection for the Strokeplay competition.
“Zambia finished in record third place at last year competition, Zimbabwe finished second and we beat them in the Tri-Nation so we are quite hopeful for good results,” he said.