$5000 at stake for Rwanda Open winners

RWANDA Golf Union has staked $5000 (about Rwf 2.9m) for winners of this year’s edition of Rwanda Open golf championship which tees off this Wednesday at Kigali golf club.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Rwanda golf union chairman Andrew Nkwandi (C) addresses journalists yesterday with the event sponsorsu2019 representatives. The New Times/T. Kisambira.

RWANDA Golf Union has staked $5000 (about Rwf 2.9m) for winners of this year’s edition of Rwanda Open golf championship which tees off this Wednesday at Kigali golf club.The Union chairman Andrew Nkwandi said in yesterday’s news conference at Kigali golf club that this year’s event is set to attract twenty professional player and 80 amateurs representing East African countries."We are expecting a good number of representation from East African golfers. Professionals are supposed to share $5000 while amateurs will be vying for trophies"We expect by Tuesday evening to have a confirmed number of participants before teeing off on Wednesday,” added Nkwandi.Nkwandi further addressed that the reason why last year’s edition never happened was solely based on lack of sponsorship."We failed to get means of holding the event. After contacting different sponsors, we decided to host the event in this month.”The professionals are set to battle it out foe the first two days (Wednesday and Thursday), paving way for amateurs competition.  The event ends on Sunday.A total of ten professional players will share $5000 while 17 amateurs will be awarded basing on their performances. Rwanda’s pursuit to win this tournament in the professional ranks lies on Jean Baptist Hakizimana, Emmanuel Ruterana, Celestin Ndayisenga and Olivier Munyaneza.2010’s event was won by Kenya’s Indiza with Jean Baptiste Hakizimana settling for second position ahead of his rivals and friend Ruterana, who finished third.This year’s event which is expected to cost a tune of $40000 (Rwf. 23.8m) has since secured support from Tele 10 group, BRD, Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Computer point, La Galette and Sulfo Industries respectively.