A total of 24 golfers' comprising both professional and elite players — have qualified for the third round of the Lina PG Tour tournament, currently underway at Lugalo Golf Club in Dar es Salaam.

Out of 68 participants, the top 12 professionals and 12 elite players have advanced to the next rounds, with the finals scheduled for tomorrow, July 20.

The tournament, which runs from July 17 to 20, was organised by the family of the late Lina Nkya in honour of the former national women’s golf team player.

Speaking to reporters yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Yasmin Chali, one of the organisers and a founding member of the event, said the tournament began with both professional and elite players. The top performers in these categories are continuing their quest for top honours, with the overall winners to be announced on Sunday.

“These 24 players earned their places in the next stage by outperforming their peers,” Chali said.

She added that alongside the main competition, the tournament will also feature 82 guest players competing in a separate category designed to accompany and support the main event. These include women, seniors, and children whose current skill levels are not yet high enough to compete professionally.

“These 82 players will begin their rounds today. While they’re not yet at the elite level, their participation is a valuable opportunity to build skills and gain competitive experience — with the potential to eventually enter the elite or even professional ranks,” she noted.

However, Chali also voiced concern over the lack of sponsorship, which she said poses a serious challenge to the tournament’s future.

“This tournament was founded to honour the legacy of Lina Nkya, and we truly hope to see it grow bigger and more prestigious each year. Unfortunately, we are still struggling due to the absence of sponsors — none have come forward locally so far,” she said.

“We are calling on companies and individuals to support this initiative. With the right sponsorship, we can grow the tournament and nurture new talent across all categories,” Chali stressed.