Coach Kamya banking on pairings for triumph in Addis
What you need to know:
- The Daily Monitor - Ethiopian Airlines co-sponsored senior national amateur team must outwit record winners Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and host-nation Ethiopia to complete a hattrick haul at the meet.
KAMPALA.
Amos Kamya has earned cult status in the region’s golfing hierarchy because of his proven success as a coach.
The 2006 Uganda Open winner has a hand in the each of the five East African Golf Challenge Trophy (EAGCT) titles, Uganda has won.
His tactical nous also emerged superior when the lowly-rated Ugandans toppled South Africa to scoop the prestigious Africa Zone VI Championship in April last year.
And now Kamya has a chance to grow his legend when Uganda chase a hat-trick of EAGCT titles at the army-owned Addis Ababa Golf Club in Ethiopia that is hosting the 18-year-old regional meet for the first time.
Ethiopia was admitted to the East African Golf Federation (EAGF) last year, 10 and 11 years respectively after Burundi (2005) and Rwanda (2004) joined the ‘Big Three’ Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Visa problems
“Pairings always win such tournaments,” said Kamya, before his 11th hour departure to join the team in Addis yesterday evening. The Ugandan coach’s travel was delayed because some visa problems. “We have some tried and tested partnerships and the rest have been doing well in practice. We want to defend our title and complete the hat-trick.
“I have been monitoring our rivals and noticed that Kenya are the hungriest. Their government has been supporting the team in its preparations but we are equally motivated. The guys worked hard to go through the tough selection process. “
The team was boosted by the arrival of South African pair Ronald Otile and Daniel Baguma yesterday morning. The team also got a feel of the windy conditions and dry course layout at AAGC yesterday evening.
TEAM UGANDA IN ADDIS ABABA
Becca Mwanja (h/c 0 captain), Herman ‘Deco’ Mutebi (h/c 0), Martin Ochaya (h/c 0), Gaita Rodwell (h/c 5), Adolf Muhumuza (h/c +1), Ronald Rugumayo (h/c 0), Joseph Cwinyaai (h/c +1), Ronald Otile (h/c 0), Daniel Baguma (h/c 0) Coach: Amos Kamya
TEAM UGANDA LIKELY PAIRINGS
*Herman ‘Deco’ Mutebi - Martin Ochaya
*Adolf Muhumuza -Ronald Otile
* Ronald Rugumayo - Joseph Cwinyaai
* Becca Mwanja - R. Gaita/ D. Baguma
