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Over 70 competitors will take part in the championship, where they will ot only be competing for the title of Uganda Junior Open winner, but also for the opportunity to qualify for the 2023 World Championships and the Venice Open among other international events.
Avid junior golfers will get an opportunity to showcase their skills in a competitive environment when the third edition of the NCBA Uganda Junior Open Championship tees off next week.
The tournament, will take place at the the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort and Spa, Kigo from April 8 and will run until April 10.
Over 70 competitors will take part in the championship, where they will ot only be competing for the title of Uganda Junior Open winner, but also for the opportunity to qualify for the 2023 World Championships and the Venice Open among other international events.
Budding golfers from six years up to 18 years are open to taking part in the event, that will also see the Uganda Juniors National team compete.
The Uganda Juniors are currently preparing for the All Africa Junior Golf Championship, that will also be held at Serena Kigo from April 9th to 12th at Kigo.
Uganda juniors head coach Flavia Namakula believes the national open comes at the perfect time for the players to get a worthy test before they try to earn regional honours.
“The NCBA Uganda Junior open is a great opportunity to host and be able to play in such a tournament before we go to the All Africa (Junior Championship),” Namakula said of the tournament that was bankrolled by NCBA bank.
“This will give the team the opportunity to compete at a level close to what they will experience in the actual competition.”
At the All Africa Junior Championship, team, comprising of some of the country's top young golfers, will also be vying for the chance to qualify for the Toyota World Cup for the second time.
The junior golf team last played at the Toyota World Cup in 2019, when coach Stephen Kasaija an impressive debut appearance at the global stage in Nagoya, Japan back in 2019.
Since then, no other national junior team has managed to match their success, largely due to their inability to perform well in the African championship - the qualifying event for the Toyota World Cup.
But before they try to charge for all that, they will have to fight for national pride, at the NCBA Uganda Junior Championships.
“It is a great opportunity We hope that South Africa will bring their players to play here as well, together with Namibia and the other countries,” Namakula explained at the tournament launch, where NCBA unveiled a sponsorship package of UGX 27million.
“So, we shall have a thorough test of them and ourselves before we compete, and also get a chance to play in the world championship.”
“The team will relish such an opportunity, and am sure they are looking forward to giving their best in both competitions.”
Up to 54 participants from USA, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Spain, Tanzania, Namibia and Nigeria have already entered the Uganda Junior Open.
Meanwhile, female players like Winnie Musuya, Frista Birabwa, Vivian Achen, Florence Asio, Mercy Ssebagala, and Shadia Nalugya.
Together with the boys' team, which includes Reagan Akena, Pius Ochieng, Juma Abiti, Collins Ociti, and Samuel Bazaale are already in camp.
The tournament will officially swing off on Easter Sunday, 9th April before climaxing on Easter Monday, 10th April 2023.
The official practice round will take place on Holy Saturday, 8th April 2023.
The Uganda Junior Open is part of a series of tournaments played in Uganda and Kenya, with Tanzania and Rwanda also set to be included in the series that features 17 clubs for 2023.
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