All eyes on Ruterana as Rwanda Open tees off

All eyes will be on Emmanuel Ruterana as he tries to re-ignite his career when he competes in Rwanda Open golf championship which tees off today at Kigali golf club.Ruterana told Times Sport yesterday, “I am ready for the championship. I have no excuse, am at home and I hope nothing will deter me from winning this competition.”“I have my equipment ready for the showdown,” noted the player, who became the first Rwandan golfer to turn pro five years ago.After confirming that Kenyans are out of this tournament, Ruterana is expected to face tough challenge from Uganda’s Godfrey Mande, who leads a team of six Ugandan golfers that also includes Herman Muatwe and George Olayo.Regular name Deo Akope will miss this year’s event because he is competing in another tournament in South Africa.However, Ruterana will be vying for top spot with stiff challenge from fellow compatriots Jean Baptist Hakizimana, Celestin Ndayisenga and Olivier Munyaneza.This year’s event is set to attract twenty professional player and 80 amateurs representing East African countries.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. 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.

Sports

All eyes on Ruterana as Rwanda Open tees off