Kenya out to silence 'noisy' Uganda in Victoria Cup
John Lejirmah follows his flight during the Malindi Pro-Am Open Governor's Cup golf tournament at the par 70 Malindi Golf and Country Club course on October 06, 2023.
What you need to know:
- Many of the Victoria Cup participants recently competed in the Muthaiga Open, where Zambia’s teen sensation Michael Chuma emerged victorious. Kenya’s Elvis Muigua and John Lejirmah finished second and third, respectively.
- Uganda’s Joseph Reagan Akena tied for 16th place, while his captain, Joseph Cwinyaai, finished 19th on the money list.
Kenya’s national golf team will look extend its dominance in the Victoria Cup as it takes on Uganda at the newly established Mt Kipipiri Golf Resort from Thursday.
During last year’s tournament held at Uganda Golf Club in Kampala, the two teams tied at 11-11 points. However, as the defending champions, Kenya retained the trophy.
“We have prepared well, and the team is more than ready to take on the Ugandans. Over the past month, the team has been in training under coach John van Liefland,’’ said tournament director Chris Kinuthia on Wednesday, who also serves as the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) Vice Chairman.
The Kenyan squad, featuring three juniors—Krish Shah, Kevin Anyien, and Tsevi Soni—will be led by national team captain John Lejirmah. Other team members include long-hitter Daniel Kiragu of Muthaiga, Ndumberi’s Elvis Muigua, Vet Lab’s Ebill Omollo, Nandi Bears Club’s Elly Barno, and Golf Park’s Rafael Leming’ani and Josphat Rono.
The team arrived in Kipipiri on Wednesday, ready for the competition.
On the other hand, Uganda’s team manager, Paul Habyiarimana, expressed confidence in his side despite fielding four new players.
“Though our line-up has four fresh faces, we are up to the task. Some of our players, like team captain Joseph Cwinyaai, Joseph Reagan Akena, and Titus Okwang, have been regular competitors in Kenya’s Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series,’’ said Habyiarimana.
Uganda’s newcomers include 23-year-old Abdul Kakeeto, 16-year-old Anthony Otukei, 26-year-old Abdalla Kakooza, and 15-year-old Peter Mayende. Other team members—John Musimenta (20), Ibrahim Semakula (18), and Elton Thembo (21)—are also regulars in the squad.
The rotational Victoria Cup, launched in 2016, saw Kenya clinch victory in its first three editions before Uganda triumphed in 2019. The event was not held in 2020, 2021, and 2023, but Kenya won the 2022 edition.
“We are excited that the team is made up of elite amateur players as well as top juniors from across the country,’’ Kinuthia said.
“The team, set to defend Kenya's title, is a dynamic group of golfers who have been undergoing intense training over the past month to ensure they are ready to compete at the highest level,’’ he added.
Mt Kipipiri Golf and Resort, the newest golf club in Kenya, has been designed to international standards to host major tournaments. The championship-level course is rated at par 72 and provides an ideal setting for the highly anticipated showdown.
In addition to the main Victoria Cup competition, a subsidiary event will take place on Saturday morning, March 22.
This event will offer local golfers a chance to participate in a fun yet competitive round before watching the Kenya-Uganda battle unfold in the afternoon.
Many of the Victoria Cup participants recently competed in the Muthaiga Open, where Zambia’s teen sensation Michael Chuma emerged victorious. Kenya’s Elvis Muigua and John Lejirmah finished second and third, respectively.
Uganda’s Joseph Reagan Akena tied for 16th place, while his captain, Joseph Cwinyaai, finished 19th on the money list.