Golf is the latest sports discipline to be included in the annual Bankers’ Sports Gala program with the first ever competition and clinic happening on Friday at Uganda Golf Club in Kampala.
Dubbed the CEOs tournament and clinic, the tournament attracted players from various banks and financial institutions. It was a full course as other players took part in the club’s Ladies Night tournament making it a two-in-one affair.
The Bankers Sports Gala is organized by the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS) & Uganda Bankers Association (UBA) in conjunction with Bank of Uganda.
The Bankers’ Sports Gala golf tournament was officially launched by Tumubweine Twinemanzi, the Executive Director of the Bank Supervision Directorate of the Bank of Uganda. He was flanked by Goretti Masadde, the Chief Executive Officer, the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), Michael Mugabi, Board Chair UIBFS, plus CEOs from various banks.
“It’s exciting to see golf included in the annual Bankers’ Sports Gala program,” Twinemanzi, a golf enthusiast and former Chairman of Entebbe Club said adding that; “golf is a networking sport and also promotes fitness as well as fun at the 19th hole. Congratulations on doing golf for the first time.”
UIBFS’ Masadde thanked the participate for turning up in large numbers adding that; “we are excited that we are holding a golf event for the very first time. Bankers do a lot of work and it’s good to see them get time for activities like golf.”
UIBFS’ Mugabi said that though the banking industry is very competitive, the bankers’ sports gala brings harmony amongst bankers as they come together for competitions.
“Sports brings us together and that’s why you see almost everyone is here. We also urge bankers to find time to engage in sports and I call upon on CEOs to let their teams be part of these competitions,” Mugabi said.
Meanwhile, Bank of Uganda won the inaugural edition of the golf event of the Bankers’Sports Gala posting 107 points, seven points ahead of second placed Absa Bank.
Kenneth Egesa (36 points), Kaliisa Katongole (36 points) and Entebbe Club Captain Seruwano Walusimbi (35 points) were the top performers for the Bank of Uganda team. The top three results were considered.
For Absa, Dickson Agaba (38 points), David Wandera (32 points) and Philip Walera (30 points) were the top performers.
Still on Friday, staff members from various banks who are novices were taken through basic drills of golf with majority expressing interest in the sport.
The 2023 annual Bankers’ Sports Gala which is the 23rd edition started on September 8th with the 30-day fitness challenge. Online quiz games are scheduled for September 30th. Outdoor games will happen on October 8th at Kyambogo University while the indoor games will be held on October 15th at the Lugogo indoor stadium.
The Bankers Sports Gala is a grand sporting, networking & social event that draws participation from employees of supervised and licensed financial institutions including Bank of Uganda (BOU) and its major objective is to foster relaxation of body & mind, provide forum for fitness, education, fun and entertainment for participants.
