MIDWEEK REPORTER
MASVINGO CITY-A memorial golf tournament in honour of the late iconic Masvingo businessman, Nowab Akram Khan will be held on Saturday, August 2.
The tournament will be held at Masvingo Golf Club starting in the morning until evening and over 70 players had registered by Friday noon and more are still coming.
Khan’s daughter, Nadia Khan told The Midweek Watch that although her father’s remains were interred in Harare, Masvingo Golf Society decided to have the memorial to afford his many friends from the ancient city to have an opportunity to pay their last respects.
“Most of his friends from Masvingo did not get the opportunity to pay their last respects hence they requested to honor him with a memorial golf tournament, a sport that he loved so much and played with passion,” said Nadia.
She also said the family will hold prayers on Sunday for the late businessman, farmer and sportsman.
Khan’s business empire spanned across all sectors including farming, manufacturing, fabric making, real estate and butcheries.
He owned the first soccer team from Masvingo, Kismet Utd, to play in the top flight league and was fondly known as Mr. Kismet.
He was born in Masvingo in 1943 and was the third born in a family of seven children.
He did his education in Shurugwi and Morgan High School and grew up on the farm with his parents and siblings.
As a successful entrepreneur, Mr. Kismet established the team that gave many youngsters opportunities to realise their dreams of playing football at the highest level in the country.
Besides his love for soccer, Khan was an avid golfer, who never missed an opportunity to tee off at most of the tournaments in Masvingo and beyond.
“He navigated life’s fairways with grace, a lover of football, he united spirits with the same passion with which he cheered the beautiful game,” added Nadia.
Together with his wife, Zitone Khan they opened Kismet Butchery in 1972 and later Zaytoons Creations which supplied football attire for Bata stores nationwide.
“As a veteran of his beloved town, Masvingo, Mr. Kismet will always be affectionately remembered for his warm, welcoming nature, kindness and compassion to all who were fortunate to know him,” said Nadia.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of 60 years, five children, 17 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
