Special Olympic Zimbabwe (SOZ) are set to hold their inaugural golf day to fundraise towards expanding golf programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities at ZRP Golf Club in Harare next week.
The event which is set to be an annual fixture for the organization, which promote the interests of children and adults with intellectual disabilities, is scheduled for June 21.
SOZ golfers have traditionally done well at international events such as the Special Olympics World Games evidenced by the fact that four of Team Zimbabwe’s eight medal haul at Berlin 2023 were in golf.
“The objective of the Fundraiser is to raise funds that will enable us to expand our golf programming to our subprograms in the country's 10 provinces. We also wish to raise money to equip six of our golfers (four males and two females) who will be travelling to Macau for the Golf Masters in China in September this year. They need proper golf kits and regalia for the tournament. It's our first time we are holding a golf fundraiser but the long-term plan is to make it an annual event,” SOZ chairperson Absolom Muchandiona said.
“Special Olympics Zimbabwe is an organisation that is part of a Global Movement that is Special Olympics International headquartered in the USA. The organisation was founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver who was a young sister of former US President JF Kennedy.
“The Organisation aims to promote the interests of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It uses sport as a medium through which it seeks to achieve its objectives. Participation in sport bolsters confidence, self-esteem and provides a platform through which persons with intellectual disabilities can showcase their gifts, talents and interact not only with other persons with intellectual disabilities and those without. The organisation also advocates for inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities in all facets of life education, sport and job market to mention but a few.
“Amongst the Sporting Disciplines that Athletes at SOZ participate in is Golf. Our Golfers have excelled at Regional and International platforms. In 2019 the Team excelled in Abu Dhabi and last year they flew the national flag high at the World Games in Berlin, Germany,” he said.
- Special Olympics Zim in golf day fundraiser
