Bheki Mthembu, the Cimerwa CEO(2nd left) and KGC officials
All is set for Rwanda’s newly constructed Kigali Golf Course Club house to host its first major local golf tournament.
Sponsored by Rwanda’s cement manufacturer – Cimerwa, the CimeGolf2018 tourney worth Rwf53million will kick off this Saturday September 15.
It is expected to attract over 100 golfers including amateurs, senior citizens and eight professional golfers from the national team.
The tourney in its second edition has seen an increase in number of players from 90 players in the first CimeGolf2017 Tournament while the number of prizes have been doubled and improved compared to the previous competition.
Winners of this year’s tourney will walk away with prizes which include 8 Express DLS Models Push-charts (trollies), 23 medals and 8 sporting bags while the overall best player will walk away with $2000 cash prize.
Cimerwa CEO, Bheki Mthembu said that in partnership with corporate cement companies the tournament is intended to brand Made in Rwanda cement but also strengthen the golf games and build a future of golfing.
“We want this game to be played with excitement and unforgettable memories for all Rwandans, and our goal is to showcase local talent and grow golf tourism,” Mthembu said during a press briefing at Kigali Golf Club (KGC).
Kigali Golf Course
Mthembu also said that the tournament will act as a fundraiser to support local caddies; “we strongly believe in developing young talents and golfing is one way we plan to strengthen the culture of sports in Rwanda,” Mthembu stated.
The tournament will also feature a “coming together” of club members to financially support the golf club by participating in the “2 Club” Competition.
All the returns raised from the Competition will go towards launching the KGC caddies foundation fund.
Rwanda Golf National Team Coach Joseph Semwanga, said that local golfers have been having difficulties with financial support but the fund and available sponsorship will groom young talents and improve the Rwanda’s regional performance.
“We have serious golf talent but we need sponsorship for equipment and travels to be able to participate in regional tourney as we did in Mombasa-where we came second in the recent East African Golf tournament,” Semwanga said.
Kigali Golf Club officials said there has been an increased interest of sponsorship in golf and the club has started an initiative of training pupils and students from four schools in Kigali as part of wide plan to make golf a tourism sport in Rwanda.
“It is such an honor to be the hosts of yet another edition of the CIMERWA golf tournament. For us, partners such as CIMERWA help us professionalize the game,” said Marcel Byusa, the KGC President.
“The Kigali Golf Club Women’s team was recently in Ghana for the All Africa Challenge Trophy 2018, thanks in part to CIMERWA for being one of our sponsors.”
Dr. Davis Kashaka, the KGC Captain also revealed that besides community outreach to promote golf in Rwanda, the golf association is in discussions with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to build more golf courses.
