By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
FOUR Sunshine Ladies Tour officials have arrived in the country ahead of the inaugural Zambia Ladies Professional Golf tournament billed for Ndola Golf Club on Thursday.
The quartet that arrived in the country yesterday was met at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport by Zambia Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU) president Moono Mwila.
The officials include tournament director Pauli Van Meersberger, two administrators Barbara Pestana and Jenny Germa and media personnel Lali Stander.
And Mwila said in an interview that Zambia was geared to successfully host the tournament that will attract professional lady golfers from 11 countries.
Mwila said the union has received financial contributions from Zambia Sugar Company Plc and Weir Minerals Central Africa who have injected in K50, 000 and K10, 000 respectively towards the successful hosting of the event that ends on March 30.
“We have raised about 90 per cent of our budget and I think we are ready to host this tournament for the first time in our history. We are grateful to all the sponsors for the support they have rendered to the union,” Mwila said.
Mwila also said the ZLGU did not expect much from Zambia’s six amateur golfers who were invited to take part in the event as the move was aimed at exposing them to the professional standards.
She said the six amateur golfers namely Melissa Nawa, Tina Nawa, Lona Mweenda, Kaela Mulenga, Tara Allin and Miliase Siame will be joined by their five counterparts from Zimbabwe, Botswana and Kenya.
“This tournament will also be a learning curve for the amateurs who will be taking part and our expectations are not so high. But the most important thing is that they will have an opportunity to compete for the amateurs’ trophy, so it will be a great experience for them,” she said.
Meanwhile, Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) president Joe Malanji has applauded efforts being made by Sports Minister Chishimba Kambwili to ensure sports associations raise funds to meet their budgets.
Malanji said in a statement yesterday that Kambwili’s efforts cannot go unnoticed but needed to be commended for his gesture to help the Zambia Golf Union (ZGU) raise funds to host the 2014 All Africa Golf Challenge to be held at the Chainama Hills Golf Club next month.
Malanji also showered praise on the Charles Mwanza-led ZGU executive committee and the All Africa Golf Challenge organising committee chairperson Noel Nkhoma for the works so far done towards making sure the event was a success.
He said there was need to successfully stage the All Africa Golf Challenge which  is a tournament with a national identity attracting more than 17 countries.