The fourth edition of the CIMERWA golf tournament will kick off on Friday, December 3 at the new 18-hole Kigali golf course in Nyarutarama.

Dubbed CIMEGOLF, the annual golf tournament returns under the theme ‘more than just the game’, with the aim of strengthening sports tourism in Rwanda.  

Mark Mugarura, the Head of marketing at CIMERWA said that the tournament is back in a very strong way with strong partners, after the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"This is the biggest golfing game this year and we are happy to be the maiden tournament on the 18-hole golf course. This time we have gone beyond the competition, and engaged both the community and caddies,” he said during a media briefing.

"Golf supporters like myself have been waiting for over a year amidst course renovations and covid-19 related restrictions to be able to participate in a full blown tournament,” he added.

Alain Girinshuti, the chairman of Rwanda Ultimate Golf, a company that manages the Kigali golf club said the tournament is in line with the country's development journey because it focuses on other sectors like tourism.

Girinshuti remarked that they want to take Rwandan golf to another level by hosting big competitions that will attract top golfers around the world.

He added that so far 250 golfers have registered including foreigners, which is beyond the target they had of 200 players.  

"We also want the community around the course to benefit from it by creating jobs for them,” he added.

Andrew Kulayije, the captain of Kigali Golf Club thanked Cimerwa for boosting the game of golf and also focusing on the whole value chain.

"On behalf of the golfers, I’m happy to be part of the Cimegolf tournament. We would also like to create more interest and awareness of the game in the Rwandan community,” said Kulayije.

Fans will be allowed to watch the tournament but encouraged to take Covid-19 tests and maintain precautionary measures.