Kenya tops EALA inter-parliamentary games golf tournament
The Kenyans were led by Edward Gichuki, who amassed 77 points over the two rounds and beat Uganda to the overall crown by 41 points, with Uganda registering 260 from their best four, as the Kenyans retained the men’s title.
The Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa poses with the different winners after the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games Golf tournament at the Lake Victoria Serena course. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Kenya amassed 301 points from their best four scorers to win the East Africa Legislative Assembly Inter-Parliamentary Games golf tournament at the Lake Victoria Serena Golf Resort on Thursday.
The Kenyans were led by Edward Gichuki, who amassed 77 points over the two rounds and beat Uganda to the overall crown by 41 points, with Uganda registering 260 from their best four, as the Kenyans retained the men’s title.
The other top scorers for the victors in the 36-hole competition included Mugambi Mwirithania, who also collected 77 points; Edward Muriu (74); and John Methu who managed 73.
The Ugandan charge was led by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, who carded 77 points. The other scorers were Okin Ojara (62pts), Anthony Okullo (61 pts), and Gilbert Olanya (60pts).
The East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA), South Sudan, and Rwanda had one representative each in Kanini Kega, Gier Aluong, and John Bideri, who registered 78, 54 and 53 points, respectively.
The Uganda ladies’ team was also once again unstoppable, topping their category with 198 points against runners-up Kenya, who collected 167 points from their best three scorers. Sylvia Nayebare (81), Judith Alyek (64), and Caroline Kamusiime (53) were the stars for the Ugandan ladies, while Mary Maingi (67pts), Esther Passaris (54) and Tabitha Matunda (46) top-scored for the Kenyan legislators. Solange Uwingabe (45pts) was also the sole representative for Rwanda.
The individual accolades went to Kenyan Kanini Kega, who topped the men’s category with 78 points, while Ugandan Sylvia Nayebare (81) topped the ladies category.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa (77) finished second overall ahead of Edwin Gichuki and Mugabi, whom he beat on count-back. The other Kenyan ladies who made the podium included Mary Maingi (67), Judith Alyek (64), and Esther Passaris (54).
EALA captain Kanini Kega (left) presents a trophy to Thomas Tayebwa after the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games Golf tournament at the Lake Victoria Serena course. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
John Chege picked the gross category after he scored 161 in 36 holes, while Anthony Okullo and Esther Passaris, as well as Kanigi Kenga and Mary Mingi, walked away with the nearest to the pin and longest drive prizes, respectively.
Tayebwa later hosted the golfers at his home for dinner, where the top players were rewarded. He thanked the golfers for demonstrating unity and the speakers from other countries for entrusting Uganda with the hosting rights.
“If we had all failed to host, it would have been the whole of East Africa that would have failed. It wasn't going to be about Burundi. And that's how the process of disintegration even starts.
“So, it means we have to keep supporting each other. We have new countries like Somalia that have come. We have those who are still facing some of the challenges. Some are financial. There are, you know, very many challenges. We should support each other. In fact, I'd be glad if one day we decide, for example, to say as golfers we are going to play a game in Burundi; we would be doing a multilateral,” Tayebwa noted.
Ugandan team captain Xavier Kyooma Akampurira congratulated all the players for making it to the championship and for promoting brotherly and sisterly friendship.
The captains of the different teams hailed EALA for strengthening the bond between the East African nations, with Rwandan Bideri noting that parliamentary diplomacy can be easily strengthened on the course.
Team results
Kenya 301pts
Uganda 260
EALA 78
South Sudan 54
Rwanda 53