The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) wants the government to jump start the construction of the proposed public golf course at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani grounds to boost their efforts to spread the game.
KGU chairman, Mwaniki Gachoka believes having a public course as well as zero rating golf equipment will help their efforts to make the game accessible to the public .
“We want every member of this nation who has a passion for golf to have at least one course to train at. We are appealing to the Ministry to help us put up a public course at Kasarani which will be accessible to all as most of the courses in the country are privately owned and they charge extravagant prizes,’ Gachoka said.
Sports Minister, Dr. Paul Otuoma who presented the Kenyan flag to the national team that will compete at the African Armature Team Golf Championship (AATGC) to be staged in South Africa next week promised full government backing in the the Unions development plans.
“We will ensure that the facility is developed so that any Kenyans who want to play golf get ample time to train there as the Kasarani master plan golf course exists,” said the Minister who challenged the union to explore the possibility of having the sport included in schools competitions.
The Kenyan team of four players includes Mathew Omondi, Joseph Karanja, David Obat (Captain) and South African based, Stephen Anderson. Alfred Kariuki will manage the team which will be coached by Ali Kimani.
The team leaves for South Africa on Friday, October 14 for the five day championship which kicks off on October 16 at the Benoni club golf course in Gauteng.
Last year Kenya finished second behind South Africa at the event held in Egypt. After the South Africa championship, Kenya will also be sending a team of nine to the East Africa Challenge trophy to be staged in Tanzania in November.
The Kenyan team received Ksh. 300,000 boost from the NIC Bank.
Elvince Joshua
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