By Shivan Ayebare
The 2nd Grace Villa Golf Tournament opened at Kabale Sports Club Golf Course in Makanga with a call for stronger government support towards sports programmes for girls.
Grace Villa Chief Executive Officer Kendegye Ndyabahika Ruth said the tournament is part of the organisation’s wider work of using sport to build confidence, discipline and leadership among young girls.
Speaking at the opening of the tournament, Kendegye said government support would help more girls access sports opportunities in schools and communities.
She said Grace Villa chose golf because it is one of the games being taken up by girls under the organisation’s programmes. The tournament, she added, gives the girls a chance to play, learn and interact with experienced golfers.
Kendegye said the event also forms part of Grace Villa’s 13-year anniversary activities, marking more than a decade of work in girl-child empowerment and community development.
Sam Arinaitwe, a Grace Villa board member and former LCIII chairperson of Central Division in Kabale Municipality, said investment in girls’ sports should be treated as part of national development.
He said sports programmes help identify talent, build character and prepare girls to become confident and responsible women.
One of the beneficiaries, Allen Naturinda, said Grace Villa had given her a chance to pursue her dream of becoming a golfer. She said the game had helped her gain confidence and focus on her future.
The Grace Villa Golf Tournament is now in its second edition and continues to bring together golfers, partners and young girls under the organisation’s empowerment programme.
