Namakula to fly Ugandan flag at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters
Flavia Namakula will provide a snapshot of golf’s rising standards in Uganda and East Africa when she makes her first appearance in the forthcoming Omega Dubai Ladies Masters to be held under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Arguably the most decorated amateur golfer in the ‘Pearl of Africa,’ Namakula has been handed special invitation by golf in DUBAi as part of its oft-stated commitment to reach out to talented players who are in need of exposure to golf at the highest-level.
The 24-year-old amateur who plays off one handicap — the lowest-ever for a lady golfer in Uganda — will join a galaxy of the world’s superstars from around the world, including Michelle Wie and defending champion Alexis Thompson, in the season-ending Ladies European Tour at the Emirates Golf Club from December 5 to 8 later this year.
Perhaps the only golfer in the world who is serving full time in armed forces, the Uganda People Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier knows it takes a whole lot of discipline and hard work to achieve the task at hand.
“I am not just a lucky golfer. I have put in a lot of time to hone my skills and it has started paying off. I am keen to take my game to the next level and for that to happen I need to play in big events, said the affable Namakula, who will be accompanied by Jasper Kamukama, president of the Uganda Ladies Golf Union, during her maiden trip to Dubai.
“I am grateful to golf in DUBAi for providing with this opportunity which is nothing less than a dream come true. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead and will try and give my best shot. I know a good performance in Dubai would be a great advertisement for golf in Uganda,” she said.
“Whatever the outcome, I certainly be returning home richer in experience which I would love to share with fellow golfers here in Uganda.”
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of ‘golf in DUBAi,’ said: “We are delighted to invite Flavia to the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters and hope the experience of playing against a top-class field would add to her confidence and help mature into a better player.
“The fact that Uganda recently hosted the 58th edition of their national ladies championship shows the game has a long history and players like Flavia has done well to keep tradition alive,” he said.
“One of the major objectives behind promoting and organising the tournament is to reach out to the deserving players who need exposure at top level golf to brush up their skills. Flavia’s presence will also help bolster the already strong ties between the UAE and Uganda, a country with fantastic natural scenery and a rich mosaic of tribes and cultures.”
golf in DUBAi’ is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor. The co-sponsors are: CNN, Drydocks World & Maritime World, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Mercedes-Benz and wasl while Dubai Duty Free, Carpetland and Motivate are the Patrons in golf in DUBAi’s drive to showcase the emirate’s vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
