Uganda Professional golfer Abbey Bagalana is seeking for funds to be able to compete in the Ivory Coast Golf Open, April 21-26.

Bagalana who is looking to cement his position among the top professional golfers in Uganda and the region was invited to the annual tournament that will be played at the President Golf Club of Yamoussoukro.

Bagalana requires $2410 (sh8.7m) to cover different expenses related to the trip including air ticket (sh3.2m), entry and caddie fees as well as accommodation and transport costs while in Ivory Coast, among others.

“I still have a deficit of about sh7m though I have received some pledges from some friends. I  call upon the golf fraternity to support me in this journey,” Bagalana said.

Founded in 1980, the Ivory Coast Open is an international golf tournament that was part of the Safari Circuit and the Challenge Tour that was based in Europe in the ’90s. It currently has a prize fund of over sh165m.

The tournament has been won by some of the best golfers in the world, including Vijay Singh, Ian Poulter and Gary Player. The most successful player is Englishman Gordon J. Brand, who recorded three victories between 1981 and 1988.

After an 18-year hiatus because of political instability, the tournament made a come-back in 2018 and was won by Ghanaian golfer Vincent Torgah. Zambian Madalisto Muthiya also won it in 2019.

Now Bagalana wants to also try his luck in the event aimed at positioning the country on the international scene through golf.