The annual Nyali Golf open officially teed off in Kenya’s coastal town of Mombasa on Friday, 13th December 2024.
Close to 100 top gross players from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zimbabwe and England are in contention for the top prize in a championship which is part of the world amateur ranking system.
Joseph Reagan Akena, fresh from winning the inaugural Kileleesi grand kwacha local tour in Uganda led the cast of Ugandans at the Nyali open.
“I am determined to play my heart out and face the course than the opponents. It has been a great year for me in Uganda but I yearn to make a mark in Kenya as well and elsewhere”
The reigning Uganda amateur open champion is joined by Juma Abiti, also a member of Lugazi Hills and Country club as well as Uganda Golf Club’s Dicksons Kateshumba.
Akena played round one with the Kenyan duo of Solomon Majanga and Geoffrey Opiyo.
Abiti’s opening round was with Eric Nyongesa and Simon Maina, two Kenyan players.
Hon Kateshumba had the first round with two other Kenyans; Ronald Simiyu and Sam Kingori.
The gross players will play 54 holes for three rounds and will be joined by subsidiary players.
Kenya’s national team players Michael Karanga and John Lejirma lead the biggest crew of locally based players.
From Rwanda, the top gross amateurs in action include Jacques Byiringiro, Jean D’Amour Hitayezu, Felix Dusabe, Didas Ndindabahizi, Alain Niyonkuru and Obardi Niyinyumvira.
Abdoul Bizimana carries Burundi’s flag whilst the duo of Chatora Tanaka and Mandava Kudzai is from Zimbabwe.
The post Nyali Open 2024: Reigning national champion Akena leads Ugandans’ chase for glory appeared first on Kawowo Sports.
