Kasozi confident of winning East African Golf challenge
Aug 27, 2014
Captain Phillip Kasozi believes Uganda national golf team is in fine form to win the East African Golf Challenge that starts on Thursday at Entebbe Club.
By Michael Nsubuga
Captain Phillip Kasozi believes Uganda national golf team is in fine form to win the East African Golf Challenge that starts on Thursday at Entebbe Club.
Kasozi who looked relaxed at Entebbe Club said everyone in camp was fine and they were just waiting for tee off.
“We are at home and have been together for the past three years, we have prepared well and I want to assure Ugandans and golfers in particular that we are winning this tournament,” Kasozi said.
For 18-year old Ronald Otile, another member of team Uganda, other countries are just coming to participate because Uganda has to win this tournament.
“We have to win here whatever it takes, we have worked hard and prepared well and we believe in ourselves,” Otile remarked as he prepared for a casual round with team mates.
The Burundi team led by Ken Lukongodo and Pro John Kisia were the first to arrive on Sunday followed by Ethiopia and Rwanda on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. They immediately hit the course to have a feel of the conditions.
Kenya and Tanzania arrived last evening just in time for the official practice round and a flag raising ceremony on Thursday thereafter.
The team event then swings in action with a singles round on Friday before the foursomes and the four-ball-better-ball rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
The East African Challenge will be contested for by six countries that include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Ethiopia. Each country will be represented by nine players.
Last year Uganda dominated proceedings for three days before losing out to Kenya by half a point at the Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha.
Uganda Breweries through their luxury whisky portfolios (Johnnie Walker) have bankrolled the event to a tune of sh200m.
The teams, Uganda: Phillip Kasozi (HC+2), Adolf Muhumuza (HC+2), Ronald Otile (HC+2), Peter Ssendawula (HC+1), Henry Lujja, Robert Oluba, Ronald Rugumayo, Ronnie Bukenya and Happy Robert (Scratch), Morris Ongwech (Team manager) and Robert Kamya (coach).
Burundi: 1. John Kisia (official), Ken Lukongodo (official), Djuma Minani, Kherry Ndereka, Hassan Nshirimana, Simba Jean, Koudra Nahimana, Toyi Saidi, Didif Nshirimana, Abdul Djabar, Karim Gwabaye.
Ethiopia: Yared Zenaye (captain) ,Mesfin Kudane (vice-captain), Ephrem Gebreselasse, Tilaye Getaneh, Hagos Mulu, Binyam Gebreselasse, Etbarek Gebrecherkos, Natanim Fanthuahun, Aklilu Haile, Aberon Michael, Tewodros Gebremariam.
Kenya: Peter Warui (official), Anthony Muhoro (official), Anil Shah (coach), Nelson Simwa, John Karichu, Robinson Owiti, Tony Omuli, Alfred Nandwa, Tahir Mohamed, Daniel Nduva, Mathew Wahome, Adel Balala.
Rwanda: Andrew Nkwandi (official) Kamazi Loius (official), Emmanuel Rutayisire, Celestine Habineza, Francois Habimana Froncois, Nyirikwaya Afrodis, Leonard Nkuruziza, Alloys Nsabimana, Joseph Barame, James Ndikumana, Jules Mutesa.
Tanzania: Joseph Tango (official), Mollel Olais (official), George Sembi, Elisha Fadhili, Francis Julius, Nuru Mollel, John Saidi, John Leonce, Victor Joseph, Abasi Adam, Isaac Wanyenche.
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