Few sporting rivalries capture the imagination like Uganda vs Kenya. From time immemorial, contests involving the two East African neighbours have always been intense, compelling, and too close to call many times.
The Victoria Cup, an annual golf tournament between the two countries, is no different as it serves a delicious buffet of smiles and tears.
Last year at Uganda Golf Club, Kitante, Uganda and Kenya shared the spoils after three gripping days, and next week the two will once again lock horns at the lush Mt. Kipipiri Golf Resort in Naivasha.
Kenya are the defending champions, an honour they retained after drawing with the Ugandan national team at Kitante.
Team Uganda will once again be captained by Joseph Cwinya-ai, whose experience will be vital against a strong Kenyan side led by former Uganda Open champion John Lejirma.
Cwinya-ai’s ten-man team includes Joseph Reagan Akena, Elton Thembo, Titus Okwong, John Musiimenta, Abdul Kakeeto, and Abdallah Kakooza.
Other members are junior golfers Peter Mayende, Anthony Otukei, and Ibrahim Ssemakula, who currently hold the future of the sport in the country.
For better preparations, the team will spend a week acclimatizing to the conditions in Kipipiri for the three-day tournament that tees off on March 20.
Notably, three golfers, Cwinya-ai, Akena, and Okwong, are already in Kenya, where they are competing in the Kenya Amateur Golf series.
Flagging off the team at the National Council of Sports headquarters at Lugogo, acting assistant NCS general secretary Sarah Chelangat expressed confidence in the national team.
“Go and perform to the best of your ability and return with the trophy,” she remarked at a briefing this morning attended by Uganda Golf Union President Jackson Were.
Chelangat also stated that the government had funded all expenses of the national team, so golfers should not worry about anything but focus on the green.
Cwinya-ai, meanwhile, has promised a spectacular showing from the team. “Kenya are familiar opponents, but we know that we can match them punch for punch,” he said.
The team travels to Kipipiri on Wednesday together with national team coach Flavia Namakula and team manager Paul Habyarimana.
