{"id":121392,"date":"2026-04-02T14:16:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/sportsbiz-africa-golf-championship-returns-in-kigali"},"modified":"2026-04-02T14:36:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T14:36:27","slug":"sportsbiz-africa-golf-championship-returns-in-kigali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/sportsbiz-africa-golf-championship-returns-in-kigali","title":{"rendered":"SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship returns in Kigali"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>SportsBiz Africa (SBA) has announced the return of its flagship international golf tournament, the SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship, with the second edition scheduled for September 10\u201313 at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, Nyarutarama.<\/p>\n

The championship, part of the Sunshine Development Tour \u2013 East Africa Swing, is set to return on a larger scale, reinforcing Rwanda\u2019s growing status as an emerging hub for competitive golf in Africa.<\/p>\n

Nsanzuwera poses with his trophy following his triumph at the SunDev East Africa Johnnie Walker Classic in Diani<\/p>\n

Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2025, the tournament is expected to attract increased global interest and participation. Last year\u2019s event drew 105 golfers from 12 countries, including players from Europe and the Americas.<\/p>\n

It also made history as the first tournament in Rwanda to award both Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points\u2014firmly placing the country on the global golfing map.<\/p>\n

Rwandan professional golfer Celestin Nsanzuwera will be looking to defend his SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship crown in Kigali. Courtesy<\/p>\n

The 2026 edition is projected to feature more than 150 professional and amateur players from across Africa and beyond, further elevating the level of competition. The three-day, 54-hole championship will offer a prize purse of USD 25,000 (approximately Rwf 36.5 million), alongside valuable Order of Merit points, as well as OWGR and WAGR ranking points.<\/p>\n

Speaking ahead of the event, Sunshine Development Tour\u2013East Africa Swing promoter Charles Gacheru highlighted the tournament\u2019s role in strengthening Africa\u2019s competitive golf ecosystem.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe success of the inaugural event in Kigali demonstrated the untapped potential within the region, both in terms of talent and the ability to host world-class tournaments. This year, we are building on that foundation by expanding participation and creating more competitive opportunities for players to earn ranking points and progress within the global golf structure,\u201d Gacheru said.<\/p>\n

Rwandan pro Celestin Nsanzuwera follows the path of his shot during the SunDev East Africa Johnnie Walker Classic in Diani-<\/p>\n

Commenting on the broader impact, SportsBiz Africa Forum Lead Christian Gakwaya emphasized the championship\u2019s contribution to Rwanda\u2019s sports development agenda.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis championship is more than a tournament; it is part of SBA’s vision to build world-class sporting assets that connect sport with business and drive sustainable development. As we grow this event into a recurring, high-level platform, we are not only showcasing Rwanda as a premier destination for international sport but also creating meaningful opportunities for local talent, partners, and the wider sports ecosystem,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Rwanda\u2019s number one golfer Celestin Nsanzuwera won the inaugural edition, courtesy of his composed performance that saw him finish at 15-under-par 201, sealing victory by five strokes after a final round of 2-under-par 70.<\/p>\n\r\n