Rwanda Golf Union has postponed this year’s Rwanda Open and the East Africa Golf Challenge from August and September respectively to November, according to the Union’s Secretary General Dr. Davis Kashaka Karegeya.

Originally, the Rwanda Open was scheduled for August 25-29, while the East Africa Challenge was to run from September 1-5 at the Kigali Golf Club, Nyarutarama.

The postponement comes a week after the re-opening of the Kigali Golf Club which had been shut down by Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) over unpaid taxes worth Rwf200m which was later reduced to Rwf70m after negotiations.

Speaking to Times Sport, Dr. Kashaka, who is also the vice president of the East African Golf Federation revealed that both tournaments were pushed forward because the venue (Kigali Golf Club) has been closed for almost three weeks which left local golfers with no place to prepare.

"Rwanda Open will be played in the first two weeks of November and the East Africa Golf Challenge will follow immediately,” said Dr. Kashaka in an exclusive interview with The New Times.

He admitted that, "Generally, the Golf club is not in good condition right now and needs rehabilitation to facilitate the proper running of both competitions.”

"The Club House is undergoing renovations and it will be ready probably by August 25,” he added.

Last year’s Rwanda Open was won by Jean Baptiste Hakizimana while Emmanuel Rutayisire won the Amateurs category.

The EA Golf Challenge is a team competition amongst regional countries including; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Ethiopia. This year, DR Congo will participate as guest team. Last year, it was won by hosts Uganda while Rwanda finished third, behind Kenya.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw