By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA in Kabwe Golf Club –
JASON Kazilimani Jnr was yesterday voted as the new president of the Zambia Golf Union (ZGU) after beating two other contestants in one of the tightest elections seen in the golfing fraternity.
This is the first time in 35 years that a ZGU president is coming from the southern part of the country with the last being Andrew Shawa, who held office in 1980.
Kazilimani amassed 34 votes beating his closest opponent Aloysius Phiri, the Zambia Junior Golf Association (ZJGA) director, who got 27 votes while Moses Chitoshi finished in distance third with a paltry six votes.
He replaces Charles Mwanza who stood down as ZGU boss and will lead the direction of the game for the next two years.
Kazilimani expressed happiness with the victory but was quick to say he would make sure he kept his two opponents since they were hard-working and experienced officials.
The new vice-presidents, who were unopposed, are Elario Musonda for north and Christopher Mulenga for south.
Kelly Munsaka was overwhelmingly retained as honorary secretary after defeating his challenger Adrian Chundama by 47 votes to 20 with Humphrey Mutambo retained as treasurer after going through without a vote cast.
Executive member south is Victor Hamukoma with Kenan Phiri of Mansa elected as member for the north.
Meanwhile, Sports Council of Zambia (SCZ) vice-chairperson, Emmanuel Katebe blew away a teeming field of more than 140 golfers to win the 2015 Levy Patrick Mwanawasa President’s tournament played at the Kabwe Golf Club on Saturday.
In an exciting tournament which brought golfers from across the country, Katebe carded an amazing 40 points to take the overall winner’s prize of a four-plate cooker as local star Kelly Munkombwe anguishly missed out on the top award after a count-ack.
As Katebe was celebrating taking the big honour, Rose Ifwawa was on cloud nine too after bringing home 45 points to take the Lady golfers’ top award and went home with a fridge in a tournament where outgoing ZGU president Charles Mwanza and Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) boss Joel Malanji also participated.
Having missed out on the overall prize after a count-back, Munkombwe was rewarded by winning the A Division for his 40 points which was one point better than Joseph Chewe.
Another Kabwe golfer Absalom Simweene won the B Division with an impressive score of 39 while Chainama golfer Bwalya Menga put his club on the podium by winning the C Division with a score of 36.
Lady golfer Ruth Zuze was winner of the Women A Division with 41