Golfers urged to promote Zanzibar ahead of AFCON 2027

ZANZIBAR: YASSER De Costa, Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the Zanzibar Roads Agency (ZANROADS), has urged golfers to serve as ambassadors for the islands as Tanzania prepares to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

De Costa made the call during the 2026 CEOs Luxury Retreat Golf Tournament held over the weekend at the Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Golf Club in Zanzibar.

He said the tournament provided an opportunity for visitors to experience Zanzibar’s tourism attractions while also witnessing preparations for the 2027 continental football tournament.

“Next year, during AFCON 2027, our visitors will also have an opportunity to play golf at the Sea Cliff Resort & Spa golf course,” De Costa said.

He urged visitors to promote Zanzibar, its natural beauty and the progress being made by Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi in improving sports facilities and infrastructure ahead of AFCON 2027.

“We ask our visitors to be our good ambassadors by promoting Zanzibar, its beauty and the preparations being made on our sports facilities and infrastructure as we head towards AFCON 2027,” he said.

The 2026 CEOs Luxury Retreat tournament brought together more than 80 golfers chief executive officers, diplomats, business leaders and golf enthusiasts from Tanzania Mainland, Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, Burundi, South Africa and Nigeria for a day of competitive sport, networking and interaction.

De Costa said combining competitive golf with business networking was also important in promoting Zanzibar as a tourism destination.

“We ask our visitors to be our good ambassadors as we head towards AFCON 2027. Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland are ready and will be delighted to welcome visitors, including those who want to enjoy golf,” he said.

He added that Sea Cliff Zanzibar had demonstrated its capacity to host visitors and provide accommodation and golfing facilities, saying the resort would be well positioned to welcome guests during AFCON 2027.

De Costa also called on Tanzanians to take greater interest in golf, particularly young people.

“I want to emphasise the importance of Tanzanians joining the sport of golf. Sea Cliff also provides an opportunity for young people under the age of 18 to learn golf free of charge, so that eventually they can represent and fly the Tanzanian flag abroad,” he said.

He noted that golf has a long history in Zanzibar, dating back to 1890, when the sport was played at the Maisara grounds near the present-day Mnazi Mmoja area in Zanzibar Town. The area was associated with a British club.

De Costa praised Sea Cliff Zanzibar for helping preserve and develop the island’s golfing heritage by maintaining its golf course, which he described as being among the notable nine-hole courses.

The 2026 CEOs Luxury Retreat Golf Tournament also produced winners from Kenya, with Thomas Mwangi claiming the overall men’s title and Caroline Muigai winning the overall ladies’ category.

Mwangi finished with 40 points, while Muigai topped the ladies’ standings with 41 points in the 18-hole Stableford competition.

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