Serengeti golf course targets international tournaments

SERENGETI: MINISTER for Natural Resources and Tourism Ashatu Kijaji has said the newly inaugurated Serengeti National Park Golf Course will help Tanzania attract major African and international tournaments, boost sports tourism and increase tourism revenue.

She made the remarks yesterday at the inauguration ceremony at Fort Ikoma in Serengeti District, Mara Region, Ashatu, who represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan. During the activity, Ashatu said the facility would strengthen Tanzania’s position as a sports tourism destination while complementing its established reputation for wildlife tourism.

“Through this course, we expect to increase tourism revenue, attract high-end tourists, extend visitors’ stays in the country, stimulate investment in hotels and other services, create new jobs for young people and increase tourism’s contribution to the national economy,” she said.

Kijaji said Tanzania needed to capitalise on the new facility by investing in sports infrastructure, organising tournaments, developing leisure travel packages and improving accommodation, air transport and other services required by international visitors.

She noted that modern tourists increasingly seek experiences that combine natural attractions with sport, recreation, entertainment and quality facilities.

The minister urged the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) and tour operators to include the golf course in tourism packages marketed locally and internationally, saying the government had fulfilled its responsibility by facilitating the construction of the facility.

She also directed Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) to develop a strategic plan for the sustainable operation of the course, including exploring partnerships with the private sector to improve efficiency and increase revenue.

Kijaji further called for golf training programmes for young people, particularly students from schools in surrounding communities, to help nurture talent and prepare future players for national and international competitions.

TANAPA Conservation Commissioner Massana Mwishawa said the golf course had been constructed at a cost of 8.5bn/-.

He said the facility included a 5.2-kilometre circular road, electricity supplied through the national grid, a clubhouse, practice areas and equipment needed for its operation.

Tanzania Golf Union (TGU) president Gilman Kasiga welcomed the investment, pledging continued cooperation with TANAPA to promote the sport.

He said Tanzania had 12 golf courses, although some were not operational and called on the government to introduce legislation providing for golf courses to be designated as protected zones. The inaugural tournament attracted golfers from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Malawi.

Tanzania’s Nuru Mollel won the Professionals category with a score of 198, finishing ahead of Kenya’s Daniel Nduva and Malawi’s Paul Chidale, who both returned scores of 211.

In Division A, Isiaka Dunia took first place with 217, followed by Victor Joseph on 219 and Enoshi Wanyeche on 221.

Ahmad Rajab won Division B with 134, while Rajab Nzowa claimed Division C with 135. Azim Dewji won the Seniors category, while Loveness Frank took the Ladies gross title with 169.

Rose Nyenza won the Ladies net category with 171 and Talib Songoro emerged victorious in the Juniors category with 155.

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