Curtains Fall on a Landmark Edition of the 16th CISM World Military Golf Championship in Kenya

DIANI (KEN) – The 16th CISM World Military Golf Championship came to a ceremonial close in Diani, Kenya, wrapping up four days of high-level competition, camaraderie, and cultural exchange under the coastal skies of Kwale County.

Major General Paul Otieno, Commander of the Kenya Navy, officiated the closing ceremony on behalf of Hon. Salim Mvuria, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports. Addressing the gathered delegations, Otieno praised the athletes for their spirit and discipline, commending the championship as a symbol of unity and mutual respect. He noted that the event was more than a sporting competition, it was a celebration of international cooperation through military sport. He expressed Kenya’s pride in hosting the tournament and underlined the broader message of comradeship that had defined the week.

Otieno also highlighted the tangible local impact of the event, noting how the Kenya Defence Forces had undertaken civil-military cooperation projects in the region, including renovations at Nnguri Primary School and Ukunda Secondary School. A free medical camp had also been organized for local residents, reflecting the championship’s commitment to community engagement and social development.

Major General Erick Kinuthia, Patron of the Kenya Defence Forces Golf Association, extended his appreciation to all participating teams and thanked CISM for giving Kenya the honor of hosting the championship. He also recognized the exemplary sportsmanship demonstrated throughout the tournament.

Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, the Official CISM Representative, hailed the event as a success and thanked the Local Organizing Committee and the Kenya Defence Forces for their commitment and efficiency. He emphasized that Kenya’s warm hospitality and the serene setting of Diani played a vital role in the smooth and enjoyable running of the championship.

Among the tournament’s standout moments was First Lieutenant Artis Lusis of Latvia making history with the eighth hole-in-one ever recorded in CISM history. The achievement was recognized by Major Cameron Lowdon, CISM Golf President and himself a past hole-in-one recipient. Another historic feat came from Heidi V. Berg of South Africa, who scored the first albatross in CISM records, earning thunderous applause from spectators.

The closing ceremony celebrated numerous individual and team achievements. In the Women’s Seniors category, Lieutenant Colonel Heidi V. Berg of South Africa clinched gold, followed by Lieutenant Colonel Asiime Evarlyne of Uganda with silver and Aviator Amy Eason of Canada with bronze. The Women’s Individual event was dominated by France, with Private Evangeline Prevot winning gold and Private Pauline Stein taking silver, while Private Sonia Akter of Bangladesh earned bronze. France also triumphed in the Women’s Team event, with Bangladesh securing silver and Tanzania completing the podium with bronze.

India’s Lieutenant Colonel Varoon Parmar maintained his composure to win gold in the Senior Men’s Individual category. Major G. D. Worth of South Africa took silver and Petty Officer Fredric Alba of France claimed bronze. In the Men’s Individual competition, Petty Officer Akash Kumar from India captured gold, followed by Sergeant Major Khalifa Mohamed of Bahrain with silver and First Sergeant Niklas Starcevic of Germany with bronze. France once again excelled in the Men’s Team category, winning gold ahead of Bahrain and South Africa, who took silver and bronze respectively.

One of the evening’s most prestigious honors, the Grand Knight of CISM award, was bestowed upon Major General Erick Kinuthia. The award recognized his outstanding efforts to raise Kenya’s prominence in military golf, support youth development in the sport, and champion the core values of CISM on a global scale.

The symbolic handover of the CISM flag to Major Cameron Lowdon, CISM Golf President, marked the official conclusion of the tournament and passed the torch to future hosts.

The closing ceremony ended with a lively cultural dinner, where traditional music and performances reflected the warmth and hospitality of the host nation. As the final applause echoed under the Kenyan night sky, the spirit of “Friendship Through Sport” remained ever present, proving once again that military sport is a powerful force for unity and peace

Follow all the results on the livescoring page of the event !

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)