BY PHILLIP ORWA
The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing now heads to VetLab Sports Club for the Kabete Challenge, following the conclusion of the NCBA Royal Classic at Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
The Tour, set to be played from Sunday, June 14 to Tuesday, June 16, has attracted a field of 70 players from 10 countries, underscoring the growing regional and international appeal of the Tour.
The tournament, which is the third leg of the 2026/27 season, has attracted players from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, India, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The players are set to compete for a share of the Sh1.5 million prize purse, as well as valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), and Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points.
Leading the Kenyan challenge is Daniel Nduva of Nyali Golf & Country Club, who arrives in Kabete full of confidence after securing his maiden Sunshine Development Tour title at the NCBA Royal Classic earlier this week.
Nduva will face stiff competition from a strong local contingent that includes John Lejirma, Greg Snow, Dismas Indiza, David Wakhu, CJ Wangai, Samuel Njoroge, Jastas Madoya, Abraham Galgalo, Nelson Mudanyi, and Erick Ooko.
Rwanda’s challenge will be spearheaded by season-opening champion Celestin Nsanzuwera, who won the first leg of the season at Thika Sports Club and currently sits on top of the Tour’s Order of Merit. He will be joined by compatriots Nsabimana Aloys and Emile Nshimyumuremyi.
Uganda boasts one of the strongest foreign contingents in the field, led by Abraham Ainamani, who has been a consistent performer in the opening events of the season. He will be joined by Gaita Rodell, Philip Kasozi, and lady professional Grace Kasango.
The West African contingent will once again be well represented by a strong Nigerian team featuring Sunday Olapade, who shared second place at Royal Nairobi; Francis Epe, winner of the Sunshine Development Tour West Africa Qualifying School; Ajayi Tajudeen; Ideriah Solomon; and Eze Monday.
Ghana will be represented by Ezekiel Afisco, while Ivory Coast has entered Richard Kouame together with compatriot Kouassi Jean-Romaric Djezou.
The international flavour of the event is further enhanced by the participation of American professionals Andrew Proctor and Gabriel Cruz, England’s Elliot Bradley, and Indian junior Mitansh Thacker.
The ladies’ field will feature Kenya’s Naomi Wafula, Joyce Wanjiru, and Margaret Njoki, alongside Tanzania’s Angel Eaton, all looking to make their mark against a strong mixed field.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing Tournament Director David Kihara expressed satisfaction with the strength of the field and the momentum the Tour has generated in the opening weeks of the season.
“We have had a very exciting start to the season with two highly competitive tournaments at Thika Sports Club and Royal Nairobi Golf Club. The quality of golf has been outstanding, and the fact that we continue to attract players from across Africa and beyond demonstrates the growing stature of the Sunshine Development Tour. VetLab has always produced quality competition, and we expect another exciting week of golf. The race for Order of Merit points is already taking shape. Players are chasing world ranking opportunities, and everyone understands how important every tournament is in the journey towards Sunshine Tour progression. We look forward to another great event.”
The Kabete Challenge follows a highly competitive NCBA Royal Classic where Daniel Nduva staged a remarkable back-nine comeback to secure his maiden Sunshine Development Tour title.
Prior to that, Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera claimed victory in the season-opening event at Thika Sports Club, ensuring that the race for honours remains wide open as the Tour continues its journey across the region.
