New UGU boss Kihika eyes youth programme
New broom. Kihika is the new Uganda Golf Union President. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
What you need to know:
- "He (Omolo) kept the union flag high and got a win in Ethiopia. He deserves kudos for that. He is still a member of the committee and I shall need his talent and resources to make the team.”
Innocent Kihika, newly elected Uganda Golf Union president.
Kampala. In the end, it was not the gripping election that had been foretold.
There was no such thing as a showdown involving Johnson Omolo, Kiwanuka Kiryowa and Innocent Kihika.
The behind-closed-doors elective Uganda Golf Union (UGU) annual general meeting culminated in the gentleman’s face of the game prevailing with Innocent Kihika ascending to presidency unopposed.
The former Entebbe Golf Club chairman, who has been serving as Omolo’s vice president, was second time lucky having lost out by a whisker to the out-going president. In his first remarks as golf boss Kihiika, who is a lawyer by profession, told Sunday Monitor he is mostly keen on growing the game’s youth programme.
“I want to make golf an every man’s sport,” he noted. “And part of that process will involve an improved and expanded youth development programme and hopefully during our term, we shall watch a Ugandan play the PGA Tour on TV.”
Also elected without contest were vice president John Katto, secretary Paul Baite and treasurer Sam Kacungira and Kihika has supreme confidence in all of them.
“It’s a fantastic team that any leadership would want to work with. They have the passion for the game and experience in running it and I am looking forward to serving with them.”
Kihika complimented Omollo’s contribution and had promised to work with him for the betterment of the game.
“He (Omolo) kept the union flag flying high and got a win in Ethiopia. He deserves kudos for that. He is still a member of the committee and I shall need his talent and resources to make the team.”
There has been a long held perception that Entebbe and Kitante clubs enjoy a frosty relationship but Kihika begged to differ.
“That (view) is perceived. Entebbe revived itself with some members of Kitante in the early days. Today, the two clubs share ideas on the game of golf and subscriptions. They have an annual tournament against each other and UGC holds the trophy.
“I think, generally, there is no uneasiness between the two though one club is noisy and the other is quiet.”
The new president also highlighted his interest in the development of the ladies game, which he has helped rise through his cooperation with the ladies union regarding the Uganda Open and Entebbe Ladies Open.
