Programme Director, Mr Matt Pearce,
Honourable Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Thokozile Xasa,
eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo,
Volvo President for Events Management, Mr Per Ericsson,
Global Managing Director for IMG Golf, Mr Guy Kinnings,
Reigning Champion, Mr Branden Grace,
Distinguished Guests and Golf Players,
Members of the Media Present,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
All protocols observed.
On behalf of the Provincial Government of KwaZulu‐Natal, I would like to begin by expressing our unwavering gratitude to the organisers of the Volvo Golf Champions Tournament for choosing KwaZulu‐Natal as the venue for the 2013 edition of this remarkable golfing contest. Some of you would remember that this tournament comes shortly after other world class golf competitions had graced our province last year.
We closed 2012 on a high note after staging the 18th World Amateur Golf Tournament right at the same course where the Volvo Champions is taking place. We also played host to the Nelson Mandela Golf Championship which some of the most notable sports figures such as former heavyweight world champion, Evander Holyfield participated.
Certainly KwaZulu‐Natal is fast becoming the world’s popular avenue for leading sporting codes. Our strategic location on the eastern sea‐board of the warm Indian Ocean and a plethora of tourism and investment attractions largely contributes to our rising star as the international community couldn’t think of any better place than KwaZulu‐Natal.
We are not only boasting a single climatic condition, which is summer throughout the year, but we are also endowed with combination of diverse cultures that in the main feature people of African, European and Oriental ancestry. Our exceptional topographic and environmental beauty, comprising the fascinating beaches along the Indian Ocean and of course the majestic Drakensberg mountain ranges while the game parks that are home to the country’s big five and the historical battlefields, all do complete the picturesque that makes KwaZulu‐Natal a dream destination for both domestic and global tourists.
In our quest to establish ourselves as one of the leading global hives for mega events, we have identified sports as key ingredients to elevate our image. We have acknowledged the magic of sport in creating harmony and cross‐cultural understanding amongst the people of the world. Sport was one of the crucial elements that contributed in uniting our own historically segregated communities following the collapse of apartheid in 1994.
In spite that golf is often perceived as an elite game, patronised predominantly by big business, in recent years it has proved that it was becoming a pastime for all as it knows no socio‐economic class or gender boundaries. It has become a practical convergence for people from all backgrounds to share their experiences and aspirations on the field of play as they collectively enjoy the interactive nature of this noble game.
It’s that reason that KwaZulu‐Natal continues to invest in sporting infrastructure to accommodate a wide range of sporting codes. As you would acknowledge the Volvo Golf Championship takes place right at the heart of Durban’s highly revered sports precinct that features the imposing Moses Mabhida Stadium that was the province’s centre piece for the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches. In the same vicinity we have other important landmarks like the homes of the province’s rugby, the ABSA Kings Park Stadium and in indeed the Sahara Kingsmead for cricket while the aqua‐sports are catered for in the most immediate Kings Park Swimming pool.
The growing list of golf tournaments hosted by KwaZulu‐Natal is a further reflection of the passion we have as province in this kind of sport activity which has seen exciting investment in the development of some of the world finest golf courses. As we were jointly addressing the media briefing with Mr Per Ericsson and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Xasa earlier today, there was a collective belief that we have offered the organisers for this event the best venue that would inspire some of the world’s celebrated golfers.
The defending champion, Mr Grace couldn’t hide his appreciation of the exquisite condition of the Durban Country Club and with this, one gets the sense that we are likely to be home for this tournament beyond the current contractual agreement. We have certainly joined the international community in terms of treating golf as one of the most important games in our calendar. This is because we value its multiple effects to economic development and tourism as well.
Golf is a multi‐billion dollar industry competing with some of the money spinning sports such as football. It is no surprise that this game is already spreading its wings across the globe as we have witnessed in recent years its growth in countries outside this game’s traditional powerhouses of North America and Europe.
Notwithstanding the impact of the recent global economic difficulties that were felt through dwindling investment in most sport sponsorships, we have noticed prime events such as US Masters, US and British Opens, US PGA and Ryder Cup being challenged by the pretty sponsored golf tournaments in the Middle East and East Asia – grabbing lucrative television rights and sponsorship endorsements for these events and individual professional golfers.
We therefore appreciate the commitment made by the corporate sector in the promotion of sports throughout the world. This is one of the essential social corporate responsibility programmes that should be encouraged particularly that events like this do include developmental initiative for the sport especially in the less fortunate communities where the tournaments are taking place.
When speaking during the media briefing I congratulated Volvo and partners for including developmental clinics for the benefit of aspirant golfers which would have a significant role in promoting this sport in our communities. In addition, business people have become international citizens and it is appreciated that they also acknowledge the importance of taking sport to all parts of the world – creating human solidarity beyond national borders as tournaments like this do attract participants from different nationalities.
For KwaZulu‐Natal this is a perfect platform to showcase our offerings in terms of tourism attractions and investment opportunities that could be identified by some of business inclined golf personalities. As an interactive activity, we are confident the championship will further create an avenue for our own entrepreneurs to interface and network with their international counterparts with the prospect of clinching business deals in the form of joint ventures and partnerships.
Like other events that we continue hosting in this province, we are hopeful the Volvo Golf Championship will further serve as a pedestal to broaden the scope for our visitors to become potential ambassadors that would assist in marketing our province in their respective countries as a must‐see investment and tourism destination.
Once again, thank you very much to IMG, Volvo and European Tour for showing their confidence in the ability of KwaZulu‐Natal to host such a giant sporting occasion. Those that are familiar with the founding vision of Volvo as one of the leading motor manufacturers would acknowledge that this is the global brand that has been synonymous with quality and extra‐ordinary investment in safety features for their products.
We are told that the first car to emerge from the Volvo plant in Gothenburg in Sweden in 1927 set the tone for what would eventually become an enduring culture of quality products and service excellence to be roll out to the world. I am pleased to assure you that there could be no complementary partner to this vision than KwaZulu‐Natal as we strive for the improved quality of service in all facets of our business because we believe that is what our visitors and members of business fraternity appreciate when spending their hard earned income on products and services offered to them.
This is the culture we continue to inculcate in our people that as we want to hold pole position in terms of being the most ideal location to do business and have remarkable holidays. In return such attitude we believe would be reciprocated with increased investments into our economy which is essential in creating more socio‐economic opportunities to ensure improve quality of life for our people. We are therefore determined to make this partnership a lifelong experience as it offers the chance for the world to converge on our shores and appreciate the excellent service and hospitality we extend to our visitors.
To the golfers, that include those that have curved their names in the professional books, I wish you all the best in the tournament. While winning is the ultimate goal for any sport person, but golf is a unitary game that everyone partaking in it emerges as a winner. We are further thrilled by the media interest in covering this colourful event and we have no reservations that the content of your stories being spread to all parts of the globe will remind all and sundry that KwaZulu‐Natal and South Africa have more to offer to the world than just sport.
The province is only second to Gauteng in terms of its economic profile that implies a wave of investment opportunities and is challenging for top spot with respect to tourism attractions. Also of importance is that South Africa is not just a spectator in this tournament, as we have some of our best golfers like Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Louis Oosthuizen – all with highly embellished golfing CVs.
As a country we are optimistic that they would give their international counterparts an exciting competition and we deserve a South African champion this year – notwithstanding the fight they have to contend with from the current defending champion and other winners of the yesteryears. With these words ladies and gentlemen, can I once again humble record our wishes for a resounding success in this year’s Volvo Golf Champions Tournament. We will be following the developments from the first tee off tomorrow morning up to the close in the weekend.
I thank you!
