AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE second edition of the Diplomatic Golf Tournament that was due to be held later this month in Arusha, has been postponed due to global threat of coronavirus.
Ministry for Foreign Affair and East Africa Cooperation and Zanzibar Tourism Board are behind the brainstorm of the event whose first edition was held in Zanzibar last year and this second edition was scheduled for May 30th this year at Kili Golf in Arusha.
Reinfrida Rwezaura, the tournament’s coordinator told the ‘Daily News’ yesterday that preparation for the tournament was going on well, but due to the crisis and as the government has yet to open sports activities, they have decided to postponed it until November this year.
“We have pushed the tournament to November at same course, though it is not final decisions, we have to follow the situation closely and only time will tell,” she added.
The Diplomatic Golf that will be open for Diplomats, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), and other golfers from East African and beyond.
According to organisers the event had already attracted number of sponsors who agreed to bankroll its pulsating prizes..
“We are grateful for all sponsors who have already shown interest to bankroll the event, we believe they will remain with us until when we succeed to stage the wonderful event,” she said.
Rwezaura added that the door is still open for others to join so as to make it a huge success
Damas Ndumbaro, the Deputy Foreign Minister and the man behind the initiative’s had recently organised 18-hole battle against Michael Dunford a World Food Programme (WFP), Representative to Tanzania and French Ambassador to Tanzania Frederic Clavier at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC), as one of the preparations for the Diplomatic level event.
Both Diplomats were excited with initiative and they said they were said looking forward to challenge others at Arusha battle.
Ndumbaro was quoted as said: “It is game that aims at bringing Diplomats together, an opportunity to Members of Parliament (MPs), Ministers and others golfers to come together for the health wellbeing.
“We used to see them in smart attire, but it would be interesting to see them wearing shorts, t-shirt and caps while playing golf, we welcome all.”
Dunford also said: “I’m excited about what has been proposed with a Diplomatic golf day, I think that will give all of us an opportunity to come together informer setting, compete in golf course and also enjoy each other company and get to know each other. I think that in fact will improve opportunity for good diplomatic relations.”
He encouraged all of fellow diplomats to take opportunity to come to Kili course for the event as sure is going to be a wonderful.
While Ambassador Clavier stressed that the initiative to organise Diplomatic Golf event is very important in promoting the sport too.
Clavier has emphasised that golf is not made for the rich; it is also for the middle class. It has a big international image also since it brings together golfers from all over the word as such the Diplomatic event will like many others, would bring together golfers from countries and status.
