Accra, March 15, GNA - The Ninth All Africa Ladies Golf Challenge Championship kick-starts in the Namibian capital, Windhoek from Saturday, March 20 through to Monday, March 22.

Mrs Elizabeth Ezan, President of the Ghana Ladies Golf Union (GLGU) who announced this in Accra on Monday said 15 African countries are expected to take part in the event, which would be played under the rules of St Andrews Golf Club of Sweden, the world's golf governing body.

She named the countries as Namibia, the host nation, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Gambia, Zimbabwe, Niger and Gabon.

Mrs Ezan said Ghana's female team would be led by veteran golfer Joy Arkutu that include ace golfer Mona Captan, Grace Komladzei, Elizabeth Essel-Koomson, Ama Morgan and Margaret Anderson. The team leaves Accra on Thursday, March 19.

A special male quad is also billed to accompany the ladies for the 'All-Men' Supporting action. The team would be made up of Eric Addo-Mensah, Kwasi Essel-Koomson, K. Osei-Bonsu, Gilbert Morgan, Mesao Menro and Dan Awuah-Darko.

Mrs Ezan was optimism that Ghana would excel at the competition. Vanguard Assurance Company Limited, Ecobank Ghana Limited, Barclays Bank Ghana Limited, Prudential Bank Limited, Achimota Golf Club, Lease Afrique and K. E.K. Insurance Brokers are sponsoring the Ghanaian contingent.

Ghana placed 10th at the last competition held in Cote D'Ivoire.