Rwanda’s nine-man national golf team has vowed to steal the show at this year’s edition of the East Africa Golf Challenge Trophy. 

The team departed last night to Uganda ahead of the four-day tournament, which starts on August 27 to 30 at the par 71 Entebbe lakeside course. 

The East Africa Challenge Trophy, one of the major golf events in the region, will feature national teams from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Ethiopia. 

Team Captain Leonard Nkurunziza told Times Sport yesterday that, he and his team mates are in high spirits and ready to put up a better show compared to previous editions.

 "We have had good and excellent preparations. We have no complaints at all because we know very well our opponents and we are well prepared to deal with the pressure that will come along. I am so confident Rwanda will put up a good show,” Nkurunziza said confidently.

He added: "We are determined to make our presence felt in the championship, Rwandans should expect good results from us, we are prepared to finish in a higher position than before.” 

The team which is comprised of Aloys Nsabimana, James Ndikumana, Joseph Barame, Emmanuel Rutayisire, Aphrodis Nyirinkwaya, Jules Mutesa, Augustin Habineza, Leonard Nkurunziza and Francois Habimana, with professional golfer Emmanuel Ruterana as their coach. 

The national golf team has never won the Challenge Trophy.  Last year, Rwanda finished fourth with eight points in Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort in Naivasha. 

Hosts Kenya won the tournament with 19 points ahead of Uganda. Tanzania finished third with 15 and a half points while Rwanda settled for fourth place with 8 and half points.  Ethiopia and Burundi finished fifth and sixth respectively.