- raises P46 000 for human-wildlife conflict victims
Organisers of the ‘Human- Wildlife Conflict Charity Golf Cup have said the second edition of the competition held this past weekend in Kasane recorded a significant growth as compared to the previous one in terms of sponsors, registered golfers and funds raised.
The annual event is organised by the Okavango Human-Wildlife Conflict Foundation in partnership with Botswana Golf Union and the Chobe Golf Club mainly to raise funds for human-wildlife conflict victims who suffered permanent injuries.
The competition had attracted 40 players coming from various golf clubs across the country- being Chobe, Jwaneng, Orapa, Gaborone, Sowa and Francistown.
Chairman of the foundation, Gakemotho Satau revealed that the funds that were raised amounts to P46 000 as compared to the P33 500 raised in the first edition. He indicated that the proceeds will provide assistance to the five victims to be identified for support this year selected from Maun and its neighbouring areas.
Nevertheless, Satau noted their commitments to victims in Kasane remains strong and they hold a genuine desire to have a larger allocation that will allow them to extend their support significantly to both Kasane and its surrounding regions. According to him, the portion of the funds that were raised has already been allocated towards the expenses they incurred in organising the event therefore the available funds may fall short of fully supporting all the intended victims.
For his part, Botswana Golf Union Vice President Godfrey Gorogodo said for sport to flourish key partnerships must be formed between national associations and the community, hence they partnered with the Okavango Human-Wildlife Conflict Foundation on the initiative.
He stated that they encourage initiatives that are meant to sensitise the community on various issues through sport reach. Gorogodo also indicated that the event helps them to reach out to the community so that they can get more players and members of the community to have an interest in golf.
Meanwhile, Okavango Wilderness Safaris Chief of Staff, Dawson Ramsden expressed that for the reason that they operate in the wildness, they found it compelling to sponsor the event because they work with the communities that live in those areas. He stated that their company is also interested in curbing the issues of human-wildlife conflict. Ramsden has urged the organisers to consider indulging the younger generation in issues of conservation order for them to appreciate and play a role the protection of wildlife.
The winner of the tournament, and also the defending champion, Onalethata Thagame from Chobe Golf Club said that his love and passion for the sport always motivate him to deliver the best performance hence he won the tournament for the second time. He stated his love for the tournament is also influenced by the fact that Chobe area is vulnerable to issues of human wildlife conflict therefore it plays a significant role of sensitizing the public about those issues through sports reach.
The winners of the competition from position one, to four walked away with P1 800, P1 200, P 1 000 and P 800 prize monies respectively.
Onalethata Thagame and Keogotsitse Billy of Chobe Golf Club took position one and two respectively while Tawanda Kapini and Reuben Molosiwa from Orapa Golf Club claimed the third and fourth positions respectively.
