By Mogomotsi Moloi
31 March 2008
Botswana Golf Union (BGU) in partnership with Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) has raised P140,000 through the annual 'Chip In For Youth' tournament held at Gaborone Golf Club on Friday.
The amount is P40,000 more than the target set by the two organisations. The tournament was inaugurated last year to raise funds for BGU and BRCS youth development programmes and HIV/AIDS awareness.
Speaking at the prize giving dinner for the outstanding participants, BGU president Derrick Musa and BRCS president Dr Nomsa Mbere were impressed by the proceeds.
Musa said BGU has a very effective development programme to unearth and nurture raw talent. "The best players from development programmes graduate into big teams. Right now we have three former caddies who play for both junior and senior national teams," Musa said.
He said their partnership with the youth programme sponsors, First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) comes to an end this year but they are negotiating a renewal. He encouraged golf clubs countrywide to assist BGU in developing young players.
Mbere revealed that she is passionate about youth and she is glad to see sportsmen and corporate companies chipping in to help in the youth development.
She emphasised that youth are the future leaders and therefore they should be natured well. She explained that her association has numerous development programmes but some are yet to get off the ground due to financial constraints.
She expressed gratitude for the proceeds of the 'Chip In For Youth' tournament saying if more such events are organised, BGU and BRCS of will achieve their mandates.
Mbere challenged golfers to change the one-day event into a golf marathon and raise more money for their youth development programme.
'Chip In For Youth' tournament was sponsored by FNBB, BP, Debswana, Standard Chartered, Orange Botswana and Botswana Life Insurance, among others.
FNBB official Pele Moleta commended BGU and BRCS for making an effort to develop the youth. "At FNBB, it is our underlying conviction that the youth golf development programme shall form a strong grassroots level foundation, from which golf in Botswana will ultimately spring to higher levels of professionalism," Moleta said in his keynote address.
He believes that any young person who shows promise and aptitude for golf deserves a chance to be trained and developed.
At the same prize giving dinner last Friday, BGU acknowledged the support of its partners in sport being all longtime sponsors and the media. Those recognised were awarded certificates of appreciation.
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