Kibaki: We can use golf to create employment

Former President Mwai Kibaki with Nairobi governor Evans Kidero open the new, 18-hole Vet Lab Golf Club on 12th October 2013. Kibaki said that golf was a major employer in many parts of the world and challenged regional clubs to strengthen the sport in East Africa. PHOTO/FILE  

By Larry Ngala

Retired President Mwai Kibai said golf was a major employer in many parts of the world and challenged regional clubs to strengthen the sport in East Africa.

He said the East Africa Golf Challenge Cup provided an ideal opportunity for Kenya to showcase its beautiful golf facilities.

Kibaki, who is also the patron of the Kenya Golf Union, was speaking during the official opening ceremony of this year’s East Africa Challenge Cup at the Great Rift Valley Golf Resort Naivasha Tuesday.

“This facility here where you are going to use for the next four days is a beautiful golf course set on one of the most remarkable geographical features-the Great Rift Valley.

“As you embark on this event, those who have come from the rest of the East African region, you are our ambassadors out there. Stay and see more lovely facilities around the country,” said Kibaki.

He lavished praise on the East Africa Golf Confederation for successfully staging the event well for the past 15 years.

“This is a good indication of the East Africa Community succeeding as well, you deserve our congratulation for keeping the event on over the years.”

Kibaki called on corporate organisations in the country as well as East Africa to support such events as the East African Challenge Cup for the growth of the sport.

“Those who are sponsoring this event such as the Royal and Ancient Golf Club(R&A) and Keroche Breweries should be proud to know that they are supporting the cream of amateur golfers in the region.

“In this event I see the signs of great success in the realisation of one of the most important goals of the East Africa Community namely, free movement of people and goods across the region and that will make it even easier for players to criss-cross the region and enjoy their games’’.