【Project Activities】

① Development of women’s professional golf players and women’s professional coaches (establishment of a golf academy in the capital Kigali for training national women’s representatives).

➁ Construction and operation (planned) of Rwanda’s first public golf driving range.

③ Attraction of golf international students from neighboring countries (already accepted the first two female international students from Kenya).

④ Planning the establishment of KLPGA (Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association) and KLPGA 4th Division Tour (KLPGA Africa Tour).

【Project Background】

[From Myanmar to Rwanda, and the Challenge of Developing African Female Golfers]

This project was initially planned for Myanmar but was forced to abandon due to unforeseen circumstances like the pandemic and a coup.However, a “miraculous encounter” with Rwanda emerged. The special relationship between Rwanda and Kobe City suggested a new direction for the project.

[Shift to Rwanda and Project Launch (2022)]

Many girls in Rwanda and other African countries, despite having talent and passion for sports, were forced to give up their dreams due to lack of funds, absence of top-level coaches, and societal prejudice that “women should protect the home.”Therefore, we launched a new project in 2022 with the support of like-minded investors, sponsors, and donors. This project aims to discover talented young female athletes facing difficulties from across the country and provide them with world-class golf training (a dormitory-style academy combining Korean swing methods with Japanese Zen mindfulness) free of charge. We aim to maximize their potential, produce “She-roes (female heroes)” who will be the pride of Africa from Rwanda, and target their first participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

[Preparation in Japan and Building Cooperation with Rwandan Government and Golf Federation (2022-2023)]

At the end of November 2022, we first visited Rwanda through an introduction by Ambassador Rwamucyo to Japan and met with the then Minister of Sports (Ms. Mimosa). For nine months thereafter, we continued negotiations with the Rwandan Ministry of Sports and Golf Federation through local partners, building a relationship to jointly promote the project.September 2023: Signed a partnership MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Rwanda Golf Federation for project promotion, under the official approval of the Rwandan Ministry of Sports.December 2023: Similarly signed a partnership MOU with the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee.(Reference: PR TIMES article)

[Difficulties in Fundraising and Relocation to Rwanda (2024)]

Even after signing MOUs with Rwandan government agencies and the Golf Federation, finding sponsors, donors, and investors remained challenging, and difficult times continued. However, representatives Noda and Nomoto made the decision to gather small individual investments and donations, along with their own funds, and relocated to Rwanda to advance the project.June 22, 2024: Both departed for Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.July 11, 2024: Established a boarding girls’ golf academy for training female golfers in the Gisogi district of Kigali City. A facility for the academy was secured with a two-year lease agreement, and Z2 immigrant visas were also applied for and obtained.

[Commencement of Recruitment Activities and Selection of Academy Athletes]

Visited various parts of Rwanda, including Rubavu, Musanze, Butare, Nyanza, and Kigali, and interviewed approximately 80 Rwandan women aged 18 to 23 with high athletic abilities.Selection Process:2-hour physical ability test
1-week training camp test (sense of distance, sense of direction, absorption, learning speed, communication skills)
1-month final training camp test
Through this rigorous process, 6 players were finally selected.Subsequently, accompanied by an interpreter, their respective family homes across the country were visited to obtain consent from parents and the individuals themselves to host them at the Kigali Academy for a 6-month training camp starting in September.

[Dramatic Growth at the Academy and Friction with the Golf Federation (from July 2024)]

From July, when full-scale recruitment began, until almost the end of October (about 4 months), we faced an unbelievable situation where we were completely denied access to both the country’s only 18-hole golf course and a driving range where balls could be hit over 130m.During this period, training at the dormitory-cum-academy was limited. It only included putting and chipping practice on putting mats, chipping practice in the grassy garden, practice swings on the paved parking lot within the premises, lectures on mental games, strength training in the living room and parking lot, and running around the dormitory.However, under the guidance of the head coach, the athletes continued their rigorous training for 6-7 hours daily and grew rapidly. Actual ball practice was limited to chipping and putting, and shots over 30m were only practice swings; they had no experience hitting actual balls.

[The Growth of the Trained She-roes Changes Everything]

Finally, an opportunity to use the golf course driving range arose. When the players started practicing, their excellent swings, chipping, and putting ball touches became a hot topic. Golf course officials, sports ministry officials, and golf federation officials began visiting daily to observe.Full-swing shots initially struggled to go straight, but gradually they improved and flew straight and far. Many compliments were received from observers, such as “Unbelievable!”, “How can they do this after only 3 months of golf!?”, “You are doing something incredible for Rwanda,” “Thank you!”, “Please continue this activity for the girls of Rwanda!”, “Please teach my children too!”, “Can you teach me too!?”, “Can I please play a round with these players?”, “I want to be taught by the players!” The players were called out wherever they were on the golf course.

[First Round with Ambassador Fukushima to Rwanda and Commencement of Official Support (November 13, 2024)]

On November 13, 2024, a round with 6 She-roes, Ambassador Fukushima, and the head coach took place at Kigali GC. Even though the players had only been playing on the golf course for less than two weeks, two of the players rounded in the 90s. This was also featured on the official Facebook page of the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda, marking the start of official support from the Japanese Embassy: https://www.facebook.com/100067742561468/posts/on-november-13-2024-ambassador-fukushima-attended-a-pep-rally-of-women-golf-play/898473155754095/

[Full-scale Participation in Tournaments and Competitions (from January 2025)]

From January and February 2025, they started participating in events and competitions within Rwanda, beginning practical training.First participation in Club Night (Kigali GC event): The academy players dominated the top 6 positions, including winning (winning score in the low 80s).Following this result, the Golf Federation offered to make all She-roes (all 6 academy players) members of the Rwanda Women’s National Team, and a new partnership MOU incorporating this was signed.

[Main Tournament Achievements]

Rwanda Open (February 2025): Player Sylvie won her first tournament as the youngest ever!IFF Golf Tournament (February 2025): Player Sylvie won with a score of 76 (gross), the lowest women’s score in Rwandan history! Player Queen recorded 350m (Longest Drive Award #16 hole).Ecobank Tournament (International Women’s Day March 2025): Player Sylvie won (3rd domestic win of the season).

[First Participation in Overseas Tournaments: Valuable Experience for Growth (from February 2025)]

Nigeria Amateur Ladies Open (February 2025, Expedition to Nigeria): First overseas international competition participation as the Rwanda Women’s National Team. Player Sylvie finished 14th (out of 300), and players Batamuliza and Queen tied for 35th.US Kids Nairobi Local Tour Tournament (March 2025, Expedition to Kenya): Second overseas international competition participation as the Rwanda Women’s National Team. Player Sylvie won her first international title (4th win of the season overall).Official invitation from KLPGA (Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association) 3rd Division Tour (Jump Tour): Players Sylvie, Queen, and Batamuliza received the first-ever invitation for African players.KLPGA 3rd Division Tour (Jump Tour) Qualifying: First-ever African participation (Players Sylvie, Queen, Batamuliza; failed to qualify).Player Sylvie (May-July 2025): Won 3 tournaments at Kigali GC from May onwards (7th win of the season overall). In July, won with her personal best and the lowest women’s score in Rwanda’s history, 74.Player Sylvie: Began coaching Kigali GC members.

[Increased Exposure and Recognition in Rwanda]

The “Japan-Korea Expedition Send-off Ceremony” hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Rwanda on March 6, 2025, was broadcast on RBA (Rwanda National Broadcasting Agency) and featured in major newspapers and Rwandan online media. As a result, the players are increasingly being cheered on by unknown Rwandan citizens at airports and elsewhere, with shouts of “Good luck!” and “We’re rooting for you!” The coach also began receiving respect and gratitude from unknown Rwandan citizens, saying, “Thank you! Please support them!”

[Visit by Japanese Investors and Future Funding Policy]

Japanese investors specifically came to observe the She-roes (academy players). This changed the perspective on fundraising, which had previously relied solely on sponsor recruitment. Moving forward, the necessity of a multi-faceted funding policy combining donations, crowdfunding (planned for the future), sponsorships, and impact investors is recognized.

【Project Objective】

[To Create Social Change in Africa by Discovering and Nurturing Female Tiger Woods]

① To discover talented young female athletes with overflowing talent and passion who are yet to be found in Rwanda and other African countries, and provide them with world-class golf coaching free of charge, thereby enabling these athletes to blossom and develop into world-class female professional golfers or professional coaches.

➁ Through this process, to contribute to the development of golf in Rwanda and Africa, especially the popularization of golf among junior girls and youth, thereby rectifying gender inequality in sports.

③ To develop golf-related industries and employment, contributing to regional safety, security, and peace.

【Project Area】

Sports and Gender

【Methods】

Human Resource Development

【Outcomes】

① It has become clear that there are not a few young female athletes in Rwanda (and probably other African countries) who possess rare athletic abilities and are interested in sports (golf). From the women interviewed this time (18-23 years old), approximately 1 in 10 had a strong sense of outstanding athletic ability (ultimately, 6 were selected from 79 interviews – incidentally, 0 had prior golf experience) -> All 6 academy players were selected for the Rwanda Women’s National Team (and are currently still national team members).

➁ Three of them were designated as candidates for world-class female professional players, and the remaining three as candidates for female professional coaches. The three female professional golfer candidates performed actively in Rwanda and other African countries (Nigeria, Kenya). In particular, player Irakoze Sylvie has won 6 tournaments domestically this season, including the Rwanda Open, and boasts 7 wins this season, including an international junior tournament in Kenya. Recent winning scores are 77, 78, 74 (best score is 74, 2 over par).

③ Additionally, the three female professional golfer candidates made their first-ever participation in the KLPGA (Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association) 3rd Division Tour qualifiers as Africans (and of course, as Rwandans) in May this year (all three failed to qualify). They were able to closely observe the practice of Korean tour pros and play rounds with them, gaining invaluable experience that money cannot buy, which is essential for their growth.

④ Established connections with the Korean golf industry, including the Vice President of KLPGA and the President of the Chuncheon Golf Federation. The KLPGA Vice President showed strong interest in the KLPGA 4th Division Tour (Africa Tour) concept we proposed and agreed to continuous meetings. The President of the Chuncheon Golf Federation strongly wished to promote Chuncheon as a candidate training camp location for athletes and requested that Chuncheon be chosen as the camp location when Rwandan and African female players challenge the KLPGA Tour in the future. If chosen, they made an exceptional offer to become guarantors for the African female players we bring to Korea for the KLPGA 3rd Division Tour, issue official invitations in the name of the Chuncheon Golf Federation, create opportunities for practice rounds with local Korean junior female golfers, and allow free 9-hole rounds after the final groups start at Chuncheon’s three golf courses.

⑤ Also, through an introduction by the President of the Chuncheon Golf Federation, we met with a program director from MBC, a major Korean TV station. We received an offer to produce a close-up feature for three years until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as the next theme for an ongoing Rwanda special. They mentioned that even if they don’t make it to the Olympics, it would be a sufficiently valuable feature.

【Voices from Participants and Partners】

Academy Players: “I challenged not just for a living, but because I love sports. My dreams expanded through golf.” “I’m happy that Rwanda was chosen and that female players are being recognized.” “A life I never imagined. I want to succeed on the US Tour and build wells in my hometown.”

Golf Industry Stakeholders: “Unbelievable!”, “How can they do this after only 3 months of golf!?”, “You are doing something incredible for Rwanda,” “Thank you!”, “Please continue this activity for the girls of Rwanda!”, “Please teach my children too!”, “Can you teach me too!?”, “Can I please play a round with these players?”, “I want to be taught by the players!” and so on.

【Challenges and Lessons Learned】

① Funding policy (diverse funding policies; shifting perspective from solely seeking sponsors. The need for a multi-faceted funding policy integrating donations, crowdfunding (planned for the future), sponsorships, and impact investors).

➁ Strategies and tactics for maintaining player motivation in the medium to long term (Why do they want to become professional golfers?).

③ Possessing revenue-generating businesses (not relying solely on ①), e.g., accepting golf international students, constructing and operating golf driving ranges.

【URL】