Zambia’s hopes of reclaiming the Region Five Fishing Tournament title were dashed over the weekend after falling to defending champions Zimbabwe. The tournament, hosted at Mapunga Bush Camp on the Kafue River, saw Zimbabwe secure their seventh crown with a commanding score of 8,344.38 points.
Led by Darren Young, the Zambian team entered the competition with high expectations, hoping to repeat their 2023 triumph. However, despite a strong effort, they finished second with 6,946.68 points. Namibia followed in third place with 4,039.26 points, while South Africa closed the standings with 3,443.38 points.
The all-species angling event drew attention for its catch-and-release format, with participants recording a total of 2,645 fish over three days. Organisers highlighted the approach as a sustainable measure to preserve fish populations across the region.
Speaking after the event, Zambia’s skipper Darren Young admitted disappointment with the result. “Over the last three days, fishing has been tough. The team has performed to the best of its abilities. We have got a lot of work to do to develop for next year. But the performance is commendable for the situation we are all in,” he said.
Namibia, competing for only the second time, expressed satisfaction with their improvement. Team captain De Waal Keyser said, “Last year was difficult for us, this year we did a bit better. But next year we will show that we can compete on our own waters.” Namibia is set to host the 2025 tournament on the Zambezi River near Katima Mulilo.
Zimbabwe’s team leader Shiloh Swart welcomed plans to expand the tournament to include more Southern African countries such as Mozambique and Botswana. “We have managed to get South Africa and Namibia involved. We hope to get another two countries from SADC to join us in a couple of years. The bigger the better,” Swart said.
South Africa’s Emile van Druten praised the catch-and-release system, noting its importance for conservation and sustainability. Mapunga Bush Camp manager Greg Geldenhuys also commended sponsors for their role in making the tournament possible.
The Region Five Fishing Tournament continues to grow in scope and impact, fostering both regional cooperation and sustainable angling practices. With Namibia set to host next year’s edition, the competition is expected to draw greater participation and further strengthen ties among Southern African nations.