Golf and Sports Tourism Gain Momentum in Zanzibar
ZANZIBAR, Saturday
Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi has been commended for supporting initiatives that promote economic growth and position sports tourism as an important part of Zanzibar’s tourism development.
The call was also made for more Zanzibaris to take up golf, a sport described as having significant potential to promote tourism, showcase Zanzibar internationally and contribute to the development of sports on the islands.
Yasser De Costa, Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the Zanzibar Roads Agency (ZANROADS), praised the Government’s efforts to promote golf and sports tourism while officially opening the 2026 CEOs Luxury Retreat Golf Tournament at Sea Cliff Resort & Spa Golf Club today Saturday September 26, 2026.
De Costa, who was the chief guest at the prestigious annual tournament, said the continued success of Sea Cliff Zanzibar in hosting the event and attracting golfers from across the global reflected the impact of supportive policies and strong leadership.
“Today’s event is a result of the efforts of President Mwinyi and the continued work by Sea Cliff Zanzibar to promote golf, a sport with a long-standing history in the islands,” De Costa said.
He also commended the ministries responsible for tourism and sports for championing sports tourism in Zanzibar.
According to De Costa, the growing popularity of the CEOs tournament and the increasing number of international participants are positive signs that Zanzibar is making progress in both sport and sports tourism.
He called on more Zanzibaris to embrace golf, saying the sport offers considerable opportunities beyond recreation.
“Golf has a great opportunity to promote tourism and to fly the national flag high,” he said, adding that the sport is suitable for people from different backgrounds and should not be overshadowed by more popular sports such as football.
De Costa also congratulated the tournament’s main sponsor, Vodacom Tanzania, together with the other sponsors whose support contributed to the successful organisation of the event.
He described golf as an excellent sport because players can walk between five and seven kilometres during a single round.
“It is also a sport that builds mental strength, endurance, honesty, discipline, resilience and good business and social relationships among people from different countries,” he said.
The annual tournament has attracted more than 80 golfers from different countries, underlining Zanzibar’s growing appeal as a destination for golf and sports tourism.
The participating golfers include players from Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa and Nigeria, alongside golfers from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. They are competing over 18 holes for the tournament’s top honours.
Chairman of the Tanzania Golf Union (TGU), Kasiga, who is among the participants, praised Sea Cliff Zanzibar for maintaining its golf course and continuing to host one of the key events on the annual golfing calendar.
“I congratulate Sea Cliff for the good work, as well as all the sponsors, because this is one of the important tournaments on the calendar,” Kasiga said.
Vodacom Tanzania representative Joseph Sayi thanked the sponsors for joining forces to support the successful staging of the tournament. 
He also congratulated Sea Cliff Zanzibar and the Tanzania Golf Union for their continued support of the event.
Michael Rathgeb, General Manager of Sea Cliff Resort Zanzibar, said the resort had invested significant time and effort in preparing for the tournament and was pleased with the response from golfers and sponsors.
“We have recorded a record number of players this year and we are looking forward to a fantastic tournament,” Rathgeb said.
Sea Cliff Financial Controller, Naveen Singh, and Golf Manager Sophie Nyanjera said were pleased to welcome more than 80 golfers from different countries.
Beyond competition, the tournament provides an opportunity for golfers from different countries to interact, build professional networks and strengthen business and social relationships.
The annual CEOs Luxury Retreat Golf Tournament is among the events contributing to the promotion of golf and sports tourism in Zanzibar.
The organisers expressed their appreciation to main sponsor Vodacom Tanzania and co-sponsors EXIM Bank, MMI Steel Mills, Villa Kiva, R.K. Sadricko, AMREF Flying Doctors, Flying Doctors, United Petroleum, Tanzania Breweries, White Sands Resort and Conference Centre, Sea Cliff Resort & Spa, Auric Air, Kenya Airways, Park Hyatt Zanzibar, Rupa’s Gift Centre, Zanzi Resort, Multi-Color Printers, ZMMI, Zanzibar Serena Hotel, ASKB, Esoma and Azam Marine.
The continued growth of the tournament highlights the potential of golf to complement Zanzibar’s traditional tourism offerings while creating new opportunities for sport, business networking and international engagement.
