Hesron Kapanga
Professional golfer Kasoma Paulino says his dream is to one day represent Namibia at the Olympics, as well as to compete in the Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA) Tour.
The 25-year-old golfer finished as a runner-up at the 2023 Johnnie Walker Uganda Open, held in October 2023.
Paulino, who studied and played golf in the United States of America, said being away from home from a young age has helped him grow as an individual.
“I developed an interest in golf at the age of nine when my father occasionally took my brother and me to golf games to bond. Despite these being Sunday sessions for the family, I took the game seriously, and it has now turned me into a professional player,” said the young golfer, who added that he has set short-term and long-term goals for himself.
Paulino, who was in the USA on a golfing scholarship, told this agency he holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a Bachelor of Laws, but being a professional golfer is the dream he wants to pursue.
“I have competed in several competitions all over the USA and gained valuable experience as a golfer,” he said.
Paulino added that he aims to make it to the top level of golf and has already achieved his goal of going to college.
“I want to make the PGA Tour team and represent my country at the 2028 Olympics if I get good rankings. I am determined and focused on being a golfer, and that is all one needs to achieve anything,” Paulino said.
The young golfer stated that his goal for 2024 is to compete in the Sunshine Tour, which is the highest level for a golfer in the men’s professional golf tour based in Southern and East Africa.
“I plan to move to South Africa next year to compete alongside golfers who are a level ahead of me and learn from them. I know golf is an expensive sport, but I also have a dream of seeing more young Namibians playing golf,” he said. – Nampa