Golf

Kenya Names Junior Golf Team for All Africa Championship

by
Mike Barasa
March 30, 2024

Audrey Gachora reacts following her tee at a past Championship

The competition will be staged in South Africa in April
The seven were selected from a provisional squad of 20
They will seek qualification for the global championship

Kenya has named a team of seven golfers who will represent the country in the 2024 All Africa Junior Team Championship (AAJTC) which is set to be held at the Benoni Country Club, South Africa, from the 23rd – 26th April 2024.

The team will be comprised by four boys and three girls and will be accompanied by Team Manager Vincent Mukiri.

The team was selected from the provisional squad which consisted of 12 Boys and 8 Girls

based on their ranking in the JGF Order of Merit (OOM). The provisional squad has been in camp, training every Tuesday and Thursday at Windsor. They have also had course practice on Sundays at different golf courses around Nairobi. These include Muthaiga, Karen, Royal Nairobi, Sigona, Thika Greens, Vet Lab and Limuru.

The golf training has also included mental coaching and nutrition conducted by psychologist Kanyali Ilako and nutritionist Betty Okere respectively.

The team will travel on 19th April 2024 for further training and acclimatisation in South Africa.

The team manager, Mukiri, is confident that with the extended period of training, better results are expected.

Training started earlier

“This year’s training started earlier compared to last year which was done over one month due to the recommendations we made from the experience in Uganda. The JGF Board accepted our

request to start earlier and we are working towards having the elite squad training to be continuous throughout the year. This year we expect to finish first or second and qualify for the 2024 Toyota Junior Golf World Cup,” he said.

On Her part the Junior Golf Foundation President, Regina Gachora expressed her joy and appreciation for the good work put in by the juniors and the coaches;

“I believe we are in a better space right now as Kenya and the team selected today will represent the country well. Our focus as Junior Golf Foundation still remains Golf Development and I would like to thank all the parents, juniors, coaches and our sponsors who have made this journey possible,” she said.

The Newly elected Kenya Golf Union boss Philip Ochola was happy with the progress made so far.

Work together with JGF

“This is the future of Golf in Kenya and as we transition to One Golf Strategy, we will work together with JGF to ensure that Kenya is a powerhouse in this discipline across the region, Africa and in the World,” he said.

He adds; “I would like to thank The Government for the massive support we are getting through The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports under CS Ababu Namwamba, our Title Sponsor NCBA Bank and other partner Kenya Airways and Isuzu who have been great pillars in supporting Junior Golf in Kenya, for sure we wouldn’t have come this far without them.”

He remains confident that the team selected will represent the country well, exuding confidence that they will bring back medals and put their careers on an upward trajectory, bringing pride and prestige to the country’s growing golf culture.