South Africa emerged winners at the 14th edition of the female All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) event held at the Achimota Golf Club in Accra, Ghana.
The team from South Africa demonstrated good team work and tenacity,beating off competition from 18 other African teams who participated in the three day event. The winners were followed by four East African counterparts Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe respectively in the top five chart.
The host team, Ghana, placed sixth while their fellow West African neighbours, Senegal came 7th, Zambia placed 8th and Nigeria placed 9th. Each player from the top nine teams was rewarded for participating in the event.
Madina Hussein from Tanzania emerged as the tournament’s best player and was followed by Zethu Nyeki from South Africa. Zimbabwe's 15-year-old golfer, Danielle Bekker was presented with the best Junior players' award after she nailed 251 points.
In an interview with the Media, Zethu Nyeki, the captain of the South African team said, “The game of golf in Africa is not there yet but it’s picking up, but I believe that every country got talent. It’s not easy for anyone to play golf in Africa.”
The event was graced by Baffour Osei Hyenman Brentuo, Manwerehene of Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The Manwerehene who spoke on behalf of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said, the Asantehene would continue to render his relentless support to Ghana Golf Association as he continues to do annually.
The Ghana Golf Association (GGA) President, Mike Aggrey heaped praises on the South African side saying, “it was a three day event so you have to go the full haul otherwise you won’t last and the South Africans proved stronger on the last day.”
Namibia was named as the next country to host the All Africa Challenge Trophy which comes off in 2020. According to the GGA President, the Ghana Lady Golfers would prepare feverishly for the next event and will do their best to win the event.
“We are going to take a more youthful squad, we are also going to train in the southern hemisphere because that is the atmosphere we are going to be playing in, we don’t need the weather as an excuse for not playing well, so we are going to train and prepare well so that we become successful,” Mike Aggrey said in an interview.
The All Africa Challenge Trophy is a unique gathering of women from all walks of life which offers great opportunities for networking among others. The AACT has undoubtedly promoted tourism in host countries and established strong ties among lady golfers in Africa. This year's event is the 14th edition of the Championship which commenced in 1992.
The South African team displaying their trophy