28^th February 2010

CHAIRMAN ACCEPTANCE SPEECH ON 100^TH AGM, MOMBASA GOLF CLUB

My immediate past chairman-Eric Nyongesa, Trustee in the house-Mr. Joseph Wamunyua, lady captain-Florence Karimi, dear members,  I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you've bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our pass committees. 

Fellow members, you have elected me your chairman, although I am not better than anyone from among you. If I do any good, give me your support. If I go wrong, set me right. Truth is honesty and untruth is dishonesty.

I thank Eric Nyongesa and previous committee for their service to our club as well as the generosity and cooperation they have shown throughout their tenor.

As we celebrate 100 years, let us remember golfers who steered the club to the present position.  Yet, in the recent past, we golfers had been more engaged amidst gathering beggary and political raging storms.  At these moments, the club has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in position, but because we, members, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears and true to our founding club constitution. 

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.  We are a club of Christians and Muslims, Hindus, and non-believers.  We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this country; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of ethnicity and segregation, we need to emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that members of Msa Golf Club must play its role in ushering in a new era of unity.

So it has been; so it must be with this generation of golfers.

Our club financial position is badly weakened, a consequence of irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the club for a new age.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics.  Less measurable, but no less profound, is a sapping of confidence across our club; a nagging fear that club’s decline is inevitable, that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real.  They are serious and they are many.  They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.  But know this Msa Golf club:  is here to continue. 

During my overseas visit, I remember seeing a very interesting sign in one of the golf course which read:

‘ANY PERSONS (EXCEPT PLAYERS) CAUGHT COLLECTING GOLF BALLS ON THE COURSE WILL, BE PROSECUTED AND HAVE THEIR BALLS REMOVED’.

Fellow members, once again, I thank you for your confidence in electing the new committee and looking forward for your support for the year 2011.

Hafidh Shihabuddin

Chairman elect