Lack of finances cripple operations of Gymkana club

By Liness Gunde-Mana: Management of Zomba Gymkana golf course Monday revealed of the financial crisis that the institution is facing thus crippling its operations.

Dickson Bonongwe, Manager for Gymkana club told Malawi News Agency Monday that at first, the club was good and beautiful since money was not a problem.

Bonongwe said apart from money generated from club activities, sponsors were readily available to help and maintain the golf course.

“Various players such as banks, telecommunication companies supported us and the place looked beautiful and nice. However, since management changed from whites to a Malawian, everything changed and it is no longer the same,” Bonongwe explained.

He said no matter how many times he has tried to approach companies; all he gets are promises.

” For the Golf course to be slashed and cleaned we need about MK500,00 but this is very difficult for us to get own our own without any sponsorship.

“Even the money we get when people plays golf is not enough for us to take care of the course and as a result, it is used to pay salaries for the staff members,” he said.

The golf course was expected to be slashed this month but according to Bonongwe this won’t take place due to financial challenges.

“Despite the Corona virus outbreak, we don’t have funds to clean the golf course and we will wait until next month when we have raised enough money.

“If things do go well with us we may resort to asking government to support us with funds to renovate and maintain the course,” Bonongwe said.

George Chitseko who used to a constant golf player at the club claims poor management has affected patronage of golf lovers at the course.

“I think it is all about management, this club used to be one of the best and the most utilized. This is however not the same this time around management needs to do a lot of work on it,” Chitseko said.

Zomba Gymkana gold course was once home for golf lovers. This was possible because resources were readily available for the operations of the club. But since, 2018 when management changed from the whites to black, the club has been facing a lot of financial problems.