Sports

RWANDA’s lead professional golfer Emmanuel Ruterana has opted out of the par-72 Uganda Golf Club (UGC) which teed off yesterday at Kitante course.

Ruterana, who had prepared for this event in earnest, pulled out of the event due to personal reasons. Talking to Times Sport yesterday he said, “I will not be taking part in the Uganda Open due to some personal commitments.”

With Ruterana’s absence, Jean Baptiste Hakizimana and Ernest Ndayisenga will lead Rwanda’s assault in the professional category while Innocent Rutamu and Jules Mutesa will feature in the amateur category.

Jinja-based Ronnie ‘King’ Ssennyanja, defending champion Rogers Byaruhanga and top contenders Adolf Muhumuza, Willy Kitatta, Phillip Kasozi, Gideon Kagyenzi and John Basabose are the top contenders.

The professionals’ affair will also provide an interesting side show with 19 Ugandans, seven Kenyans, three Tanzanians and two Rwandans in the fray.

The professionals from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda will be battling for a share of Rwf. 6 million.

The tournament, sponsored by Tusker Malt Lager and co-sponsored by Samsung Electronics, will have a two-day subsidiary event for golfers above handicap 8 that gets underway on Friday.

Contact email: bonnie.mugabe[at]newtimes.co.rw