Morogoro — NURU Mollel bounced back from a shot deficit to retain his Moro Open Golf title as the championship climaxed at the Morogoro Gymkhana Club, here in Morogoro on Sunday.

Sponsored by Cargo Stars Ltd (CSL), the two day 36-holes tournament brought together about 80 golfers from local club. Mollel also won sponsorship deal to train in South Africa from Cargo Stars who also vowed to sponsor the young golfer in various competitions.

The company has been sponsoring the tournament since 1997 and CSL Managing Director Dioniz Malinzi pledged his company's support towards the championship, with winners now set for sponsorship deals to train abroad. The national team ace, Mollel, started the day a shot behind the overnight leader, Emmanuel Juma from the host Morogoro Gymkhana club, who carded 72 on Saturday.

Mollel, from Arusha Gymkhana Club (AGC), posted one over par gross 73 in the first round, and improved to a shot on Sunday after returning level par 72 to total one over 145 which is also overall best score. He beat young professional Geoffrey Leverian, who earlier on Sunday won pro category with 147. Mollel overcame Juma and other top contenders to win by five shots.

He won a trophy and other prize, presented to him by the guest of honour, Morogoro Regional Commissioner Joel Bendera. Juma, meanwhile, returned nine over par 81 to settle in the third position with 153. National team captain Frank Roman gave the champion a good challenge in the final round, but he could only finish with 74 to finish as runner-up with a total six over par 150.

Ally Mcharo, Abdallah Yusuph, and Adam Abbas all finished with a total 154. But Mcharo finished fourth as countback forced Yusuph and Adam to settle in the fifth and sixth place respectively. Speaking after the tournament, Mollel who showed desire to keep his title since the first round said he was happy to accomplish his mission. "I promised to fight with all my strength to make sure I retain the title.

It was tough game but I'm happy that I won," he said. In the subsidiary category, Mutalemwa Tophil, playing off handicap 12, carded total one under par nett 143 to win top prize as second and third place went to Salum Iddi and Claude Mtavangu with 144 and 145 each respectively.

Chiku Elias emerged winner of ladies category with 146 nett, Angel Eaton came second with 148 and Mwanaidi Ibrahim won third place with 155. Junior prize went to Victor Joseph handicap- 6 who fired 140 nett, Amani Saidi had 152 in the second place while Suleiman Kessy scooped third position with 160 nett.