Reviving Disc Golf in War-Torn Ethiopia: A Success Story

A decade ago, disc golf began its journey in Ethiopia, driven by dedicated enthusiasts and supportive institutions. The African continent's first PDGA-sanctioned event took place in 2018 at Assosa University, which also marked the establishment of East Africa's first 18-hole disc golf course. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent civil war severely impacted the sport's growth.

In late 2023, I resigned from my full-time job to focus on rebuilding disc golf in Ethiopia. I proposed a project called "Rebuilding Disc Golf Ethiopia" to stakeholders, including PDGA International Director Brian Hoeniger. The project aimed to bring back the sport and create opportunities for community engagement, education, and recreation.

One of our first initiatives was building a new nine-hole disc golf course at Bingham Academy in Addis Abeba. This academy serves students from nearly 40 nationalities, making it an ideal location for promoting diversity and inclusivity through disc golf. The course has been a significant success, rekindling enthusiasm among both the academy's community and local players.

We also expanded disc golf activities to a United Nations refugee camp, where we conducted three rounds of training sessions with hundreds of participants. This initiative not only introduced people to the basics of disc golf but also fostered teamwork and camaraderie among the refugee community. To facilitate ongoing play, we donated 50 discs, ensuring everyone has access to participate.

Our final endeavor was rebuilding the looted disc golf course at Assosa University. Engaging with the university administration and Department of Sport Sciences was crucial in securing their support and allocating funds for the project. With combined efforts from the PDGA and the university, we were able to transform the landscape of the university grounds and establish a thriving disc golf community.

A remarkable outcome of this project was the formation of a disc golf club by students from the Sport Science Department at Assosa University. Witnessing their commitment and passion for the sport was truly inspiring, giving us hope for the future of disc golf in Ethiopia.

Throughout our endeavors, we've learned valuable lessons about community resilience and spirit. While significant progress has been made, there is still work to be done to grow disc golf and increase community participation. Our primary focus moving forward will be on sustainability and forging partnerships with local and international organizations to support our mission.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the PDGA, Bingham Academy, UNHCR, RRS, Assosa University, and individuals who contributed to these projects. Their support has been invaluable, and we are optimistic about the future growth of disc golf in Ethiopia.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/rebuilding-ethiopia