President: Mr WAYNE PARHAM Hon. Secretary: Mrs Tracey Beekes
Hon. Treasurer: Mrs JUDITH SWAN Tel: + 263 91 2 434 135 Email : polox@iitrade.net
14 July 2009
Report for the Zimbabwe Polo X Association
As you are all aware Zimbabwe has been going through some trying times these last few years. Our membership stands at 120 from a high of 450 in early 2002. The main aim has been to try and stem the flow of those that have had to give up due to the economic and political conditions. I think now we are at the the cross roads and the future should be one of growth.
The focus of our association has thus been to concentrate on our domestic calendar, to maintain the numbers and support it financially. With one highlight in the year being that of the Zimbabwe open, this is a great spectacle of the local and foreign talent, it has done much to try and develop an interest to the game. We have many under 14 kids that are wanting to join the sport, and this is an encouraging sign. We would like to do as much to develop the game, from ground roots.
An annual tournament between us and Zambia, called the Zim-Zam was established 5 years ago and this has helped to keep an international calendar going and has been of great benefit to both nations. We have a Senior and Junior tour each year one at home and the other away. The only other international exposure has been players participating in South African tournaments. Future tours and international exposure is something I hope we can develop going forward with a more positive environment in Zimbabwe leading to more sponsorship.
I would like to conclude by thanking Odette Neuman for all the correspondence she feeds us and apologize for the small amounts of information she receives in return.
We have had so much to worry about on a local footing that I am afraid we have paid little attention to the finer details on the international stage. My thanks to Wessels who with South Africa have helped in many ways and supported us during these trying times.
Yours truly,
Wayne Parham President Zimbabwe Polo x
Wayne, Hello from USA. Grandson of Red Parham here in Vermont. Send us a email when you have a chance. I hope you are all doing well. Bob Crosby and i would like to keep in touch. Please give my best to Doug. If someone should read this and know Wayne’s email address could you send it to me @ geo.coughlin@hotmail.com
Take care
George
Wayne, I am also a relative and I an trying to get in touch with the Parham’s in Zimbabwe.
Tom