Former Zambia President graces KQ golf tournament

By Feverpitch Reporter

The first President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Kenneth Kaunda was among the over 100 golfers that battled it out for the top prize at the 2010 KQ Golf Safari series at the Lusaka Golf Club.

The 140 golfers braved the heat to compete for top KQ Golf Safari honours and a ticket to play at the grand finale at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi in March next year.

Kaunda teed off at 9.00am together with the club’s captain, Kenya’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Dr Kipyego Cheluget, and Kenya Airways Marketing Manager —Africa and the Rest of the World, Tom Simba.

The foursome attracted a sizeable crowd of onlookers and media as they made their way around the first nine holes of the course with everyone excited to see the septuagenarian former president looking energetic.

Connect Africa

Kaunda noted that Kenya Airways sponsorship tied in very well with the airline’s ambition to connect the whole of Africa.

"Sport is a great unifier and I congratulate Kenya Airways for this initiative that brings together people from across Africa," noted Kaunda.

These sentiments were echoed by Zambia’s Deputy Minister for Sports Maynard Misapa who was also present at the event.

Noting that the KQ Golf Safari Series had made a stop in Ndola in September, the minister commended Kenya Airways for contributing towards the promotion of Zambia’s great golf courses as well as sports in the country.

"The Government alone cannot develop sports, we need the help of the corporate world," said Misapa.

KQ Zambia Country Manager Rose Kiseli noted that Zambia was the only country that hosted two tournaments during the series. "It was a great honour to have Dr Kaunda grace our tournament both as a player and as a guest at our prize giving ceremony as this greatly improves the stature of the KQ Golf Safari Series."

She said the tournament is meant to highlight golf in Africa and showcase the continent’s golf facilities and at the same time giving an opportunity for Kenya Airways to interact with its customers.

Dr Welani Chilengwe emerged the winner of the Lusaka leg. The Kenya Airways Golf Safari, whose finals will be held in Nairobi on March 19 next year, is played in 13 countries outside Kenya.