Zimbabwe hosts first African Footgolf Open Championship

Itai Mazire

Zimbabwe has cemented its status as a rising sports‑tourism powerhouse after becoming the first African nation to host the Africa FootGolf Open Championship at Elephant Hills in Victoria Falls.

The landmark tournament welcomed 70 participants from Africa and Europe and underlined the country’s growing appeal as a world‑class destination for sport, adventure and hospitality.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hononourable Tongai Mnangagwa applauded stakeholders for bringing the event to Zimbabwe.

“Government plans to leverage sport as a strategic driver of tourism visibility, youth inclusion and economic growth.
“Sports tourism is a key pillar of our National Development Strategy and Vision 2030 and this event is significant and plays a pivotal role in broadening Zimbabwe’s sports‑tourism portfolio.
“Hosting the Africa Footgolf Open has put Zimbabwe firmly on the map as a premier sports tourism destination,” said Deputy Minister Mnangagwa.

Organisers said the championship will remain in Zimbabwe for the next four editions, with the 2026 event expected to attract nearly 200 players and their families.
The boost follows international recognition by Forbes Magazine naming Zimbabwe the number one destination to visit in 2025. This comes ahead of Zimbabwe’s co‑hosting of the 2026 Under‑19 Cricket World Cup with Namibia.

The competition delivered immediate economic benefits for Victoria Falls, with hoteliers reporting higher occupancy and local businesses from restaurants to adventure operators seeing increased patronage.

Delegates sampled Zimbabwean cuisine and engaged in tourism activities around the Falls, providing a valuable short‑term injection into the local economy.
With commitments to host future editions and a pipeline of international events on the horizon, Zimbabwe is positioning itself to turn one‑off successes into sustained tourism growth translating moments of global attention into long‑term benefits for communities around Victoria Falls and beyond.