Rwanda national golf team begin their quest to end an 11-year title wait to win the East African Golf Challenge as the 18th edition of the regional premium showpiece tees off in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, today, and will run until October 30.

The eight-man team arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday after several weeks of intensive preparations at the Kigali golf club course.

Rwanda will be hoping to defy the odds that have seen them fail to claim the title since 2005 when Rwanda Golf Union was incorporated into the East African Golf Federation.

"We arrived safely and everyone is well, the boys are in a good mood and ready to swing into action, "said Dr Davis Kashaka, who accompanied the team.

 The eight players include; Emmanuel Nkurunziza, Aloys Nsabimana, Leonard Nkurunziza  (team captain), Francois Habimana, Celestin Nsanzuwera, James Ndikumana, Emmanuel Rutayisire, and Aphrodis Nyirinkwaya.

 The East African Golf Challenge attracts the national teams of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia. However, this year, Burundi did not participate.

This will be the first time Ethiopia is hosting the annual event which is staged on a rotational basis across member countries. Kenya has won it a record 11 times, while defending champions Uganda has won it five times.

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