Holes:  72

Days:  Three

Venue:  Bujumbura Golf    Course

Countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi

Local golfers start their 2007 East Africa Challenge Cup quest this morning at Bujumbura Golf Course in Burundi.

The nine-man team accompanied by national team manager Andrew Nkwandi, left Kigali yesterday morning aboard a Yahoo Express bus.

The golfers had a few hours in the evening to acclimatize to the course before today’s showdown which has also attracted golfers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and hosts Burundi.

The East African Challenge Cup is an annual regional competition and according to this year’s schedule, the tournament will last three days.

Speaking to the Kigali Golf Club captain Rajan Tiwari, he said, "They (Rwandan golfers) are going to have three days of serious action. It is a 72-hole competition”.

Participants are playing 18 holes today, 36 tomorrow (Saturday) and another 18 holes on the final day (Sunday).

It’s the fourth time that Rwanda is taking part in the competition since 2004 when she made her debut.

Rwandan’s best performance came in two years ago when she finished as first runners up at the home course.

"We are targeting Kenya because they have been winning the competition since 2004 when we joined.

The team has prepared well and we expect them to put out a good show,” Tiwari said.

Team: Jean Baptiste Hakizimana, Ernest Ndayisenga, Olivier Munyaneza, Celestin Habineza, Jules Dusabe, Emmanuel Nsengamungu, Steven Katwiremu, Francois Habimana, Augustine Munyaneza.

Rwanda’s performance since 2004

Year         position           host

2004            5th           Uganda

2005            2nd           Rwanda

2006            3rd           Tanzania
2007            ??              Burundi

Ends