In a notable initiative aimed at fostering and developing young talent in the sport of golf, the NCBA has formally declared the rebranding of the US Kids Golf Local Tour to the NCBA Junior Golf Series.
This change signifies NCBA’s dedication to improving opportunities for young golfers in the area by cultivating their skills, promoting essential life skills, and enabling their involvement in a range of events.
The NCBA Junior Golf Series is designed to offer a more extensive platform for junior players to demonstrate their abilities, enhance their skills, and compete in a nurturing environment. Even with this integration, the NCBA Junior Golf Series will maintain the esteemed US Kids Golf format.
Mark Muyobo, Chief Executive of NCBA Bank, expressed his enthusiasm during the launch event at Uganda Golf Club in Kampala, stating that the NCBA Junior Golf Series represents an exciting enhancement to the annual NCBA golf series. He highlighted their commitment to involving young juniors in the NCBA regional series throughout Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
Muyobo expressed that this collaboration aims to foster and cultivate greater golf talent, ultimately contributing to the emergence of more professionals within the sport.
“Our plan or expectation is that through the Junior Golf series, we should be able to support the juniors with their skill to also be part and partial of professional golfers, as far as Uganda is concerned,” he said.
He noted that the value of this partnership exceeds shs100 million. As a component of this initiative, they are providing support to 10 junior golfers from underprivileged backgrounds to facilitate their participation in international tours.
“We are already sponsoring 10 practicing golfers that come from humble backgrounds, and these are people who, in usual cases, would actually not be able to participate in the game of golf, but we are supporting 10 practicing golfers, and we believe that that will help in their confidence and prepare them in the to participate in the international tours,” he added.
Muyobo acknowledged the contributions of the Uganda golf community, as well as Mr. Theodor Van Royen and his wife, for their efforts in advancing the sport within the nation.
He expressed appreciation for the parents who support young golfers and reiterated NCBA’s dedication to this important initiative, promising to further promote the game of golf.
Theodor Van Royen, who organizes the US Kids UG Local Tour, commended NCBA for its continuous backing, highlighting that it has played a crucial role in enhancing the character and confidence of junior players over the years.
He observed that there was a deficiency in junior golf activities in Uganda. He further emphasized that this tournament not only fosters enduring family memories but also provides children with the opportunity to learn the game of golf.
“US Kids Golf is a company that aims to help children learn golf and enjoy the sport while building family memories. Us kids golf hosts more tournaments than any other organization in the world, with over 1950 events each year. These tournaments are designed to be fun and friendly, and to encourage family participation,” he noted.
Joseph Kawalya urged parents to persist in their support for their children and to cultivate their passion for the game, highlighting the interconnectedness of the modern world.
He remarked that golf transcends being merely a sport; it also represents a legitimate career path that can be followed well into one’s later years.
Rachael Tumwesigye, a parent, commended NCBA and US Kids Golf for their contributions to the sport, pointing out that their efforts have instilled a deep appreciation for golf in the children.
