STAFF WRITER
RECENTLY appointed Zimbabwe Professional Golfers Association (ZPGA) interim president, Akil Yousuf who plays out of the Royal Harare Golf Club is looking forward to a more competitive 2022 season after the last two years were blighted by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to Sunday Sport from his base in Harare before his departure for South Africa where he will be taking part in the Senior’s Sunshine Tour, Yousuf has welcomed the opportunity to lead his peers more so as the sport is trying to regain its footing.
“I think to shy away from taking office in uncertain and unpredictable times would be very cowardly. Being a professional golfer, I am always up for a challenge. That’s what keeps on bringing us back. In as far as accepting office as ZPGA president, it is indeed a challenge that I relish” he said.
“Indeed, the pandemic has been awful and we must not forget those who lost their lives to COVID-19. While golf has been a release, tournament golf has taken a knock, especially here in Zimbabwe. We need to realise that tournament golf requires sponsorship and the pandemic really crippled many businesses which obviously has a knock-on effect across the board.
“However, that being said, I am very optimistic that the wheels of industry and commerce are starting to churn again which ultimately will benefit professional golf,” added the ZPGA president.
Yousuf has been a pro for 25 years and got into the hot seat after Tongo Charamba resigned his mandate and the committee nominated him to take over as interim president. This is his second stint as president after having previously served as president for five years.
The ZPGA schedule for the year 2022 kicks off in Bulawayo on the 18th to 20th of March with a 3-day pro-am tournament sponsored by Arenel Zimbabwe with a prize fund of US$20,000. Prior to the Zimbabwe Open whose dates are yet to be announced by the Zimbabwe Open Committee, the ZPGA will be staging two mini events which will serve as qualifiers for local pros for the Zimbabwe Open.
“Our calendar for 20220 will start in March with a tournament in Bulawayo. This will be followed by two mini tournaments from which Zimbabwe Open entries will be chosen from. They will also give our pros much needed tournament condition practice,” revealed Yousuf.
“It is very important to applaud and thank wholeheartedly the Zimbabwe Open Committee for their magnanimous efforts in ensuring that this year’s Open will be a reality,” he added.
Yousuf also said: “I think our main goal is to put our house in order. Sorry if I sound negative or harsh, but let’s call a spade a spade. If we are to attract sponsorship, we as an association need to do our part. In as far as tournaments are concerned going forward, I am already in talks with various corporates and am confident that these talks will come to fruition.
“With the Zim Open being absent on the calendar for a couple of years, it is extremely exciting that once again it will be staged this year.”
