KENYA SHOCKED IN ETHIOPIA: All gloom as Ugandans defend East Africa golf title
Golf
By
MAARUFU MOHAMED
| Nov 01, 2016
Kenyan golfers lost the 2016 East African golf Regional Trophy despite tying on 16 points with rivals Uganda at the at the par 70 Addis Ababa Army golf course in Ethiopia.
Led by their coach Amos Kamya, defending champions Uganda were all smiles as they successfully defended their title. As they received the winner’s medal, they were all smiles after a job well done.
Kenyans watched in disbelief as they, yet again, failed to bag the coveted regional trophy. For the second successive year, they let the gong slip away from their fingers.
In the morning of the last day of the tournament on Saturday, Kenya trailed on 12 points, as the Ugandans opened a two-point lead.
In the afternoon, Kenya regrouped and ensured parity with the Ugandans at 16 points. But the title went to Kampala because they enjoyed the defending champions’ status.
Hosts Ethiopia were third on 12 points, while Tanzania and Rwanda shared eight points each, while Burundi had two points.
On the first day, Nyali’s Daniel Nduva tried to raise the Kenyan flag when he squared with Uganda’s 2015 Sports Personality of the year, Ronald Otie.
Kenya’s Alfred Nandwa was also at his best as he squared with Uganda’s Daniel Baguma, but other teams pulled away with six points, placing Kenya at an awkward position.
It was the same case on Day Two, as the champions maintained the same two-point lead.
Since the regional event began in 1999, Kenya has won a record 12 times and Uganda six times. Six countries (Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi) make up the annual tournament.
Last year, Uganda collected 18.5 points to edge Kenya to the title by one point, in yet another closely fought battle.
Kenya’s delegation had KGU chairman Muchau Githiaka, his deputy Richard Wanjalla and team Coach Brian Njoroge. Players were Alfred Nandwa (Railways), Daniel Nduva (Nyali), and John Lejirma (Golf Park).
Others were Edwin Mudanyi (Vet Lab), Simon Njogu (Great Rift) and Robinson Owiti (Vet Lab). Kenya’s top-ranked junior player Agil Is Haq from Nyali and Muthaiga’s Mutahi Kibugu, who was given a wild card, also took part in the tournament.
The contest is one of the most prestigious golf competitions in East Africa that involves members of East Africa Community. Eight players represent each country.
This was the first time for Ethiopia to host the annual event, which is held on a rotational basis among member countries.