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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE National Army commander Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda will this morning lead a strong field of senior army commanders and captains of industry in the 2017 edition of the ZNA Baker’s Inn golf challenge at the Harry Allen Golf Club.

The fundraising golf tournament, set to use the Mexican Hat format is aimed at raising about $6 000 that will go towards the army charities, according to the spokesperson of the organisers Lieutenant-Colonel Fabion Chitungo.

Lt Col Chitungo said the figure will be double that which was raised last year.

“We expect to double the figure which we raised last year which was about $3 000 and this is largely because of the huge support that we have received.

The money will not only come from participation fees but from the auction that we will have during the prize giving ceremony in the evening after the golf tournament tomorrow (today) and we are excited about it,” said Lt Col Chitungo.

The weekend’s fundraising programme began last night with a dinner dance at the Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel which was graced by Lt General Sibanda who was the guest of honour with the chief executive officer of the Big Time Strategic Group, South Africa, Justice Maphosa being the guest speaker.

The ZNA charities are Tsanga Lodge Convalescent Centre in Nyanga for the rehabilitation of injured soldiers; the Benevolence Fund for the welfare of troops on internal, external and international operations, ZNA Schools Welfare Trust, which has a total of 12 primary and five secondary schools as well as the Widows and Orphans’ Fund that takes care of widows of soldiers before they receive terminal benefits.

Besides the golf tournament, the army also runs a football tournament as well as a horse racing event as part of its fund-raising activities.

Caps United won the 2017 ZNA Charity Shield in March when they beat Highlanders 3-2 in a penalty shootout in Bulawayo after the game had ended 0-0. — @skhumoyo2000.