By KALUMIANA KALUMIANA –
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has saluted Mopani Copper Mines and Nkana Golf Club for their continued commitment in raising the profile of the Zambia Golf Open Championship.
In his welcoming message for the tournament to be hosted at Nkana Golf Club in Kitwe from April 26-29, President Lungu said he was particularly impressed with Mopani’s commitment to stage the Zambia Open for the next four years.
“It is pleasing to note that the City of Kitwe has now become home of the Zambia Open Golf tournament. I am particularly pleased that Nkana Golf Club will be hosting this prestigious tournament for the next four years,” President Lungu said.
The President expressed happiness that the tournament has become a permanent feature on the Sunshine Tour calendar.
“Let me; therefore, join the residents of Kitwe in sharing this exciting moment again. I also salute the Zambia Golf Union for consistently organising this annual golf event which is now a permanent feature on the Sunshine Tour calendar,” he said.
The President also applauded Nkana for its dedication towards the development of golf through its academy at the club.
“With the developments such as the Nkana Junior Golf Academy, I am confident Zambia could soon produce a Zambia Open champion, an accolade that has eluded us for years,” President Lungu said.
Meanwhile, the Zambia Open Organising Committee amassed a surplus in their 2018 budget that has swelled to US$515,000.
That was after Howden Holdings handover of a US$15,000 cheque as a partner sponsor of the tournament to see them exceed their US$500,000 target.
Howden Holdings Zambia director Pelmel Bonda said the company is hoping to be associated with the Zambia Open for the next three years.