Seven of Uganda’s top junior golfers were on Friday flagged off for the All-Africa Junior Golf Challenge scheduled for 26 March to 1st April at the Palm Hills Club par-72 golf gourse in Cairo, Egypt.
The players were flanked by four officials in an exercise that took place at Uganda Golf Club, Kitante in Kampala.
The seven players comprise of junior boys and junior girls teams who will compete in their respective events. The players are; Junior boys: Emmanuel Adrabo, Joseph Reagan Akena, Dunstan Godfrey Nsubuga (Captain) and Ibrahim Ssemakula. Junior girls: Frista Birabwa, Vivian Wanok Achen and Winnie Musuya.
In Cairo, the winning boys team and runners-up, together with the winning girls team, in the African Qualifier will line up in the prestigious Toyota Junior Golf World Cup in Japan, where they will compete against the cream of global junior golf later this year.
Uganda’s Captain, Dunstan Godfrey Nsubuga says that he and his colleagues are ready to put up a good show in Cairo and make the cut to the global showpiece.
“We have been in camp for around 15 days where we played on different courses. We are now very ready for the tournament and I believe we shall all make it to the World Cup and make our country proud,” Nsubuga said.
Flavia Namakula who is the new national team coach aims to make an impression first time out and she believes that her charges will do well in the land of the Pyramids and Pharaohs.
“These players were selected on merit after trials. Therefore, I believe that we have the best teams to represent us,” Namakula said adding that the tournament will be an avenue for the youngsters to learn more as they grow in the game of birdies and boggies.
The tournament is a four-round stroke play competition. Players will caddy for themselves.
Uganda Golf Union President, Moses Matsiko says that he’s pleased to have the teams participate in the tournament after Covid-19 became a damper on sports activities and many aspects of life in the recent past.
“It is a great opportunity for us to gain experience as we prepare them to join the ranks for the senior team in the future. Under the guidance of Flavia Namakula, the boys and girls will give it their best and we are certain to walk away with some silverware,” Matsiko said.
Prior to the Cairo do, Uganda Golf Union received financial support from the Government of Uganda through the National Council of Sports, whose mandate is to promote all forms of sports in conjunction with the sports bodies.
The full touring party is composed of:
Junior boys
1. Emmanuel Adrabo
2. Joseph Reagan Akena
3. Dunstan Godfrey Nsubuga
4. Ibrahim Ssemakula
Junior girls
1. Frista Birabwa
2. Vivian Wanok Achen
3. Winnie Musuya
Officials
1. Flavia Namakula – Head Coach
2. Robert Ejiku – Team Manager
3. Anthony Agaba – UGU Secretary
4. Moses Matsiko – UGU President
