By Victor Okoye
The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) has announced plans to organise the maiden edition of the Oba Saheed Elegushi Open Golf Championship.
Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, President of the NGF, announced this at the second edition of the Nigeria Golf Federation Stakeholders and Golfers Summit in Abuja.
The summit, which began on Tuesday, ended on Friday, with more than 46 golf clubs and other stakeholders participating.
Runsewe said the tournament would honour Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, while providing a major platform for the development and promotion of golf in Nigeria.
He said the championship would form part of the federation’s renewed efforts to strengthen competitive golf and provide more opportunities for Nigerian golfers.
The NGF president also called for greater collaboration among golfers, clubs, sponsors, government, and the private sector to develop the sport.
Oba Elegushi, the Royal Father of the Day, expressed delight over the honour and commended the NGF for its initiative.
“I am delighted to be part of this important programme, and I commend the NGF for creating a platform to collectively discuss the future of golf,” he said.
Elegushi urged golfers across the country to remain united and uphold the ethics and values of the sport.
He said Nigeria had the population, talent and private-sector capacity required to develop world-class golf facilities.
According to him, Nigerians should invest more in domestic golf infrastructure instead of spending huge sums travelling abroad to play golf.
“We have Nigerians who believe in golf and have the capacity to invest. If we come together, we can develop our own facilities to international standards,” he said.
Elegushi said investment in golf infrastructure would require patience but would ultimately contribute to sports tourism, employment and economic development.
He expressed appreciation to the NGF for naming the maiden Open Championship after him and pledged his support towards its success.
“I will do everything within my capacity to make the tournament a success and ensure it becomes one of a kind in Nigeria,” Elegushi said.
He said he would mobilise relevant stakeholders and support efforts to make the championship a prestigious tournament on the Nigerian golfing calendar.
Runsewe said the championship would also provide an avenue for golfers to compete at a high level while contributing to the growth of the sport.
He urged corporate organisations and other potential sponsors to support the tournament and other initiatives aimed at taking Nigerian golf to greater heights.
The NGF president said the federation remained committed to creating sustainable platforms for golfers, particularly young talents, to develop and compete.
The summit, themed “Finding the Fairway: Sustainable Growth and Youth Development,” focused on grassroots development, youth empowerment, governance, infrastructure, and international competitiveness.
The event also adopted resolutions aimed at strengthening golf administration, developing young talents, and improving Nigeria’s participation in international competitions.(NAN)(www.nannwes.ng)
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne