Coach Akope pushes for youth development

Uganda’s junior team earns invitations to play in Zimbabwe and Kenya after finishing fourth in Mauritius.

How team uganda fared
(Out of 48 after four rounds)

13. Daniel Baguma 327 gross
16. Ronald Otile 328
18. Joseph Chwinyaai 332
22. Titus Okwong 338

Innocent Ndawula

Kampala

Deo Akope has pleaded with Uganda Golf Union to invest more in the youth for the sport to grow. Akope led Uganda’s team as coach to the Africa Junior Golf Championship in Mauritius where they finished fourth last Friday.

The team’s aggregate of 974 was 90 strokes off the winners South Africa’s pace. Zimbawe (942) and Zambia (971) finished second and third respectively at the four-day annual showpiece. Akope was satisfied with the team’s display. “The boys struggled a lot in the windy conditions,” said Akope, who is also the captain of the Uganda Professional Golfers Association. “But overall, I must say they did well. We didn’t even have a camp before going to Mauritius but we managed to fix whatever we could in the shortest time possible.”

Junior foundations
Uganda’s quartet of Daniel Baguma (327 gross), Ronald Otile (328), Joseph Chwinyaai (332) and Titus Okwong (338) were second on Day Two but slipped to third on Day Three before consolidating fourth spot on the final day.

“All other countries have junior foundations which run separate from the senior events. The way forward is a junior golf foundation and there are lots of boys in Fort Portal, Kinyara, Lugazi and even Entebbe,” noted the three-time winner of the Uganda Open.

Akope revealed the team’s display landed them invitations to Zimbabwe in August for the Africa Junior Triangle event.

indawula@ug.nationmedia.com