Golf isn’t for rich only, says Nape

DAR ES SALAAM : MINISTER for Information, Communication and Information Technology of Tanzania Nape Nnauye has urged Tanzanian media to communicate a good image of Golf to the public so that they refrain from the misconception that is not for them but Westerners.

Mr Nape issued the statement during the Tanzania-India Golf tournament event held at Gymkhana Golf Club course in Dar es Salaam over the weekend that was also attended by the India High Commissioner to Tanzania, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan.

He said that it was unfortunate that golf playing as a game is being viewed as for a class of people to the extent that even leaders, are not setting a pace that it is for all including Tanzanians.

He added: “Kenya has about 30 Parliamentarians and Uganda about 50 playing golf and in Tanzania, we are only two. We must set a pace so that our people fully take part in it.

“Golf can be good for your health and your heart. Walking an average course for a round of golf can be between five to seven kilometres. If you walk 18 holes three to five times a week, you’ll get an optimal amount of endurance exercise for your heart.”

The minister said that the deep-seated belief that golf is for some rich people should be discarded because it is a friendly competition against friends, adding: “It challenges both your mind and body and allows you to look inward and work towards improvement. Whether you shoot a 72 or 144, there’s nothing like spending a couple hours, or even an afternoon, out on the golf course.”

Mr Nnauye said despite the fact that the efforts to promote and propagate sports and games are the primary responsibility of the Ministry for Culture, Arts and Sports; his ministry has a significant role to play a role by making sure all media feature in sports and games in their programming.

“In all these years since independence, people have perceived golf as the sport for the well-off people. Professionally speaking golf usually takes 3-5 hours to golf 18 holes. Playing in a foursome with inexperienced players can take up to 6 hours,” he pointed out.

He said if the media are determined to propagate golf they can encourage many people, including children, to participate and change peoples’ thinking that the game is for the old-aged people only.

In the event that was orgnised by Kamal Steel and the High Commissioner, Mr Pradhan opined that the game was a friendly way of cementing relations between the two countries, further describing the match as having been played by experienced people.