Sponsor cries foul in Tri Nation tourney

A day after National Bank of Malawi made possible the MK2 million Tri Nation Youth Golf Tournament featuring hosts Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia, the bank said it was suddened print journalists who attended the official launch did not live up to their expectations.

NBM representative at the event, Wilkins Mijiga said despite having paid 'allowances' to the two main dailys, there was no article in the newspapers about the event.

"We should appreciate this is a great sporting activity that involves other countries apart from Malawi. We have to learn to love our country and do everything to put it on the map. I am disappointed there is nothing in the press about this important event," he said, adding he did not mean the press to cover the event from NBM's promotional aspect, but to hype the international event.

Journalists at the prize presentation ceremony two days later said: "They were not interested in the so-called allowances..." and distanced themselves from the Monday press who did not attend the closing ceremony.

On its part AnzeniGOLFER, Malawi's only golf magazine, said it was available throughout the event and also attended the Friday Malawi Open at the same venue, the Lilongwe Golf Club.

Tough day for Zambia's Eto in Tri-Nation Junior Championship

The 8th of December 2008 was not like any other ordinary day for the 21 young golfers from Zambia, Zimbabwe and host Malawi. It was a great day when the Tri-Nation International Youth Golf Tournament was officially launched and where hopes from visiting top-notch golfers like Eto from Zambia were still fresh for a head start.

It never came to be when Tuesday in the matchplay show-down Eto's team mate angered the youngster enough to disturb his form.

On the 16th, though his team was 2 down to Malawi's side, Eto's frenzy grew when a team mate missed on ushering him straight for the green - where in his adrenalin crazed state he chuffed a putt, putting Zambia on the wrong foot.

"As captain I still have to generate morale in my team mates, but this really drove me wild and I just could not quite concetrate. I messed up but I really should not show that to my mates if we are to pull out a win come Wednesday and become champions on Thurday," he told Anzeni GOLFER magazine.

The youngster then refused to put his eggs in one basket by philosophically declaring any team was good to win the tournament.

"Malawi is good. So is Zimbabwe and ourselves. In this game anything can happen. Anyone can win," he added.

The tournament was funded to the tune of MK2 million by National Bank of Malawi (NBM) and representative Wilkins Mijiga said as Malawi's biggest bank they thought it wise to take part in shaping the youth as part of their corporate responsibility.

Deputy Minister of Youth Development and Sports Lewis Kadam'manja officially launched the tourney on Monday watched by Golf Union of Malawi representative for Northern and Central Regions Stallard Mpata, Malawi Junior Golf Association representative Clement Chilingulo, and Lilongwe Golf Club Men's team captain Ben Wandawanda.

Former Malawi golf professional coach Baylis was also available, only this time on the Zimbabwean side. Malawi is coached by assistant national coach Chris Kachiguma.

A Malawi Junior Open Championship is expected on Friday and the two visiting teams may participate.