By KPC Sports Reporter
The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing heads to VetLab Sports Club for the Kabete Challenge, scheduled to run from Sunday, 14 June, to Tuesday, 16 June.
This follows the conclusion of the NCBA Royal Classic at Royal Nairobi Golf Club recently.
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The tournament, the third leg of the 2026/27 season, has attracted a strong field of 70 players from 10 countries, highlighting the Tour’s growing regional and international appeal.
Golfers from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, India, the United Kingdom and the United States will battle for a share of the KSh1.5 million prize fund, 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 charge is Nyali Golf & Country Club’s Daniel Nduva, who arrives in Kabete brimming with confidence after claiming his maiden Sunshine Development Tour title at the NCBA Royal Classic earlier this week.
Nduva is expected to face stern competition from a formidable local line-up 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 led by season-opening champion Celestin Nsanzuwera, winner of the first event at Thika Sports Club and current leader of the Tour’s Order of Merit standings. He will be joined by fellow Rwandans Nsabimana Aloys and Emile Nshimyumuremyi.
Uganda also boasts one of the strongest overseas contingents, led by the consistent Abraham Ainamani. He will be accompanied by Gaita Rodell, Philip Kasozi and lady professional Grace Kasango.
West Africa will once again be strongly represented by Nigeria, whose squad features Sunday Olapade, joint runner-up at Royal Nairobi, Sunshine Development Tour West Africa Qualifying School winner Francis Epe, Ajayi Tajudeen, Ideriah Solomon and Eze Monday.
Ghana’s hopes rest with Ezekiel Afisco, while Ivory Coast will be represented by Richard Kouame and compatriot Kouassi Jean-Romaric Djezou.
Adding further international flavour to the event are American professionals Andrew Proctor and Gabriel Cruz, England’s Elliot Bradley and Indian junior Mitansh Thacker.
The women’s field will feature Kenya’s Naom Wafula, Joyce Wanjiru and Margaret Njoki, alongside Tanzania’s Angel Eaton, all seeking to make an impact in a strong mixed field.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing Tournament Director David Kihara expressed satisfaction with the quality of the field and the momentum generated during 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.”
Kihara said VetLab has consistently delivered high-quality competition and is expected to provide another thrilling contest.
“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 fiercely contested NCBA Royal Classic, where Nduva produced a stunning back-nine comeback to secure his first Sunshine Development Tour title.
Before that, Rwanda’s Nsanzuwera claimed victory in the season-opening tournament at Thika Sports Club, ensuring the battle for honours remains wide open as the Tour continues its journey across the region.
