Uganda's ladies ready for AACT tournament in Tanzania

National ladies golf team coach, Irene Nakalembe, believes her three-man team can surpass what the team achieved in their last outing, competing in the All Africa Challenge Trophy.

Represented by Eva Magala, Martha Babirye and Irene Nakalembe the Ugandan ladies competed in the last edition held at the Achimota Golf Club in Ghana in 2018, finishing fourth out of 18 countries that took part.

Martha Babirye is the only surviving member from the 2018 outfit, on the new look team that has Peace Kabasweka, and Meron Kyomugisha who are making their debut in this tournament.

As the tournament tees off on Tuesday at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club in Tanzania, the three are up against competitors from 24 countries including record winners South Africa.

“We have had good preparations, we have been in camp for two and a half weeks; I trust the team, each has been working on their weak points as well as their mental strength,” Nakalembe said before the team left for Tanzania on Sunday.

She said two Uganda representatives Kabasweka and Babirye are no strangers to Tanzania courses having competed there regularly including winning the Tanzania Ladies Open for the latter, three years ago.

“These players have exposed themselves to different competitions in different countries in Kenya and Tanzania and more recently in the Kitante Ladies Open which Kabasweka won, so we are only waiting for them to perform,” Nakalembe stated.

Team captain Kabasweka was also hopeful of a good outing for the team saying they were physically and mentally fit for the task at hand.

“We just pray for the blessings so that we can win this tournament, otherwise we are ready,” she noted.

Martha Babirye who is going for her second AACT having been part of the 2018 team said she expects to perform better than she did then because she has continuously worked on her game, more recently in Kenya where she spent a month playing and training.

“I have improved on my distance, my putting and my mental game. I think we shall leave a mark because we are all good players and the team is promising,” Babirye said.

As the team aims for good team performance, they will also be aiming to do well individually in order to be spotted by the Royal and Ancient Club of Scotland (R&A) who are planning to put-up High-Performance Player and Coaching Camps in Africa aimed at the continued development of ladies’ golf in Africa.

The R&A will have two scouts during the tournament to pick out the best golfers that they will send to the camps.