Uganda’s national golf team captain, Joseph Cwinya-ai, has credited their Victoria Cup victory over Kenya to the team’s unwavering motivation and self-belief.
Speaking at a breakfast reception held at Uganda Golf Club to welcome the triumphant squad, Cwinya-ai emphasized that confidence played a key role in their success.
“I saw the faces of my colleagues and sensed a certain happiness, comfort, joy, and contentment in every one,” Cwinya-ai said.
“As a sportsman, motivation is very important. And when I saw it, I knew that we were more than capable of delivering results.”
The Ugandan team traveled to Mt Kipipiri Golf Resort two weeks ago to take on their long-time rivals, Kenya, and emerged victorious over the weekend.
Their achievement was recognized by Honourable Dicksons Kateshumba, a trustee of the Uganda Professionals Golfers Association, who reiterated parliament’s enthusiasm for the game. He also promised that their victory would be acknowledged at the national level.
Each member of the 12-man contingent, including team manager Paul Habyarimana and coach Flavia Namakula, received an envelope containing an unspecified monetary reward, raised by golf enthusiasts and channeled through the Uganda Golf Union (UGU).
UGU President Jackson Were reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to developing junior golf, addressing skepticism over the team’s youthful composition. “We took a young team to Kenya, and people called and complained,” Were said. “But we knew what we were doing.”
Cwinya-ai also dismissed any doubts about their squad’s ability. “We have formidable talent,” he remarked. “Why would people think they [Kenya] would easily run over us? The boys had their bags. And their bags had 14 clubs. They may be young men, but they have hearts of lions, and they proved it.”
Uganda’s victorious team featured a young but determined lineup, including 15-year-old Peter Mayende, 16-year-old Anthony Otukei, 18-year-old Ibrahim Ssemakula, and 19-year-old Joseph Reagan Akena, all from Lugazi.
They were joined by 20-year-old John Musiimenta (UGC) and 21-year-old Elton Thembo (Entebbe), among others.
