President’s Golf Cup Drives Sports Tourism,

The second edition of the President’s Golf Cup ended on Friday with renewed emphasis on leveraging sport as a vehicle for economic growth, national unity and international positioning in line with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).

Held under the patronage of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the four-day tournament drew professional, amateur and junior golfers, as well as corporate partners and international stakeholders, in what organisers described as a maturing platform that blends sport with national development priorities.

The President was represented by the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, who was also present at the event.

Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony, NetOne Group CEO, Engineer Raphael Mushanawani said the tournament has evolved beyond competition into a strategic platform anchored on connectivity, development and global visibility.

He said the structured format of the event — from professional rounds to junior competitions and the Pro-Am finale — reflects Zimbabwe’s growing capacity to host world-class sporting events.

“This tournament reflects precision, discipline and excellence, qualities that resonate beyond sport into national development,” Mushanawani said.

He linked the event to broader national milestones, noting its proximity to Independence Day celebrations reinforces the intersection between sport, patriotism and identity.

From an economic standpoint, Mushanawani said the tournament is contributing to sports tourism by stimulating activity in hospitality, transport and digital services sectors.

“The President’s Cup positions Zimbabwe as a competitive destination for international sporting events while enhancing our global brand,” he said, adding that NetOne’s role was to provide the digital backbone for global reach and real-time engagement.

He also pointed to strong corporate participation as evidence of the growing importance of partnerships in driving national impact beyond individual business interests.

Meanwhile, Africa Golf Federation president Gift Omolo commended the Government and private sector for delivering what he described as a well-coordinated event.

He said Zimbabwe has significant potential to grow its golf tourism industry, urging authorities to adopt deliberate strategies similar to those implemented by Morocco, which currently leads in the sector on the continent.

“Harare alone has more than 10 high-quality golf courses, which is a strong foundation. What is needed is focused investment and promotion,” Omolo said.

He added that with consistent policy support and international marketing, Zimbabwe could position itself among Africa’s leading golf tourism destinations.

The President’s Golf Cup, conceived by Pascall Sibanda, is steadily gaining prominence as a flagship event integrating sport, business and economic development.

As it expands, stakeholders say the tournament is increasingly becoming a symbol of Zimbabwe’s drive towards excellence, unity and sustainable economic progress.