Rwanda Commercial Bank (BCR) and Rwandair Express yesterday put their resources together to have the golf national team travel to Namibia for this year’s All Africa Challenge Cup.

The two corporate companies are said to have covered the team’s $10,000 (about frw5.5million) budget for the trip. Rwandair Express was the first to come to the team’s rescue by covering the team’s return air tickets to South Africa while BCR footed the team’s accommodation, meals and allowances.

"I extend my sincere gratitude to BCR, Rwandair and Kigali Golf Club who have made this trip a success. Without them, our golfers wouldn’t have been able to travel,” KGC’s president Ezra Bunyenyezi said.

BCR’s financial support to the national team is a clear sign that the bank is ready to continue supporting the sport even after halting its sponsorship to the monthly  tournament initially dubbed ‘BCR monthly mug’.

The four-man team includes Jean Baptiste Hakizimana, Olivier Munyaneza, Ernest Ndayisenga and Celestine Habineza and was accompanied by Andrew Nkwandi, a KGC ex-president and one of the club’s most experienced and senior golfers.

Nkwandi who traveled as the team manager said that the team would spend a night in Johannesburg before proceeding to Namibia this morning.

"Once we get there, the golfers will have two days to acclimatize to the golf course before the tournament tee-off,” Nkwandi said.

Contrary to the initial schedule, the tournament will run from October 29 to November 1.  The tournament schedule dictates that golfers will play 72 holes; 36 holes on Tuesday and 36 holes on Wednesday.

Similar to past editions, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya are favorites at the twelve-nation event.

Ends