KCB on board as Uganda hunt maiden Victoria Cup
Sinking A Birdie. Uganda Golf Union president Innocent Kihika (C) shakes hands with KCB’s Byamah (2nd L) after the sponsorship package was announced. Anthony Agaba (L) represented the captain of UGC, Matsiko (2nd R) and Sam Kacungira presided over the event. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO
The Victoria Cup, a diadem between Kenya and Uganda, has not brought any joy for the latter with Kenya winning all three editions since inception in 2017.
The heartbreaks have not stopped Uganda from believing and team manager Moses Matsiko is already sounding war cries to the Kenyan side that arrives on Tuesday for the fourth edition scheduled to tee off at Uganda Golf Club (UGC)’s par 72 Kitante course.
“Much as history is not on our side, this might be the time it all changes because the boys are breathing fire,” Matsiko told a press gathering yesterday at UGC. When asked why Uganda has fallen short at all three editions, Matsiko pointed out a number of reasons.
“In the past, we have given them (Kenya) way too much respect but we know what to do now. We have also not had better preparations than this before and we are just fine tuning after learning from the past,” added Matsiko.
Regional champions
Uganda’s victory over Kenya in the Africa Zone IV Golf Championship in Bujumbura, Burundi three weeks ago can be used to justify Matsiko’s gospel of how Uganda could be on its way to a first Victoria Cup title.
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) joined the showpiece with a sponsorship package of Shs 100m to facilitate the smooth running of the tournament. “We are a regional bank and this is a competition between two regional countries Kenya and Uganda.
It’s a pleasure to partner with UGC as official sponsors and I hope we bring good luck to team Uganda,” said KCB managing director Edgar Byamah.
After Kenya’s arrival on Tuesday, there will be a practicing round for both teams on Wednesday and the flag raising ceremony in the afternoon.
Five matches will then be played on Thursday followed by four-ball better-ball on Friday.
The final day, Saturday, will have 10 game singles and a subsidiary event attracting all amateurs. A game between the Ugandan and Kenya Parliamentary Golf Clubs is also in place, though pending approval.
