By Victor Okoye

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has commended the President, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Olusegun Runsewe, for his commitment and dedication to grassroots development of golf in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, made the remarks on Friday in Abuja, during the unveiling of golf equipment donated by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R &A), Scotland to the NGF.

Shola Fayoyiwa, a deputy director in the NSC, who represented Dikko, said Runsewe’s dedication to promoting golf at the grassroots level has been evident in his initiatives to increase participation and develop sport nationwide.

Fayoyiwa noted that the NGF’s efforts is highly commendable in revitalising the game of golf in Nigeria and making the country to be competitive at the global golf stage, as well as preparing the country to reap the benefits of international golf tournaments and investments.

“Indeed, what the NGF is doing here today is in line with the NSC’s vision and mission, which is to ‘catch them young’.

“Before we have anybody representing the country at the international level, we must identify them.

“Also, if we want to identify any talents at the grassroots, we must have the equipment.

“So, we at the NSC are very excited about what the NGF is doing to attract the attention of the international community to the grassroots development of golf in the country.

“The donation by the R & A is a welcome development which we encourage other federations to explore as we look forward to more collaborations and sponsorships from other international bodies in this regard,” Dikko said.

The NGF President said he would not relent in his efforts to make golf a leading sport in the country, adding that plans were ongoing to sponsor some talents for golf training programmes abroad.

Runsewe said part of his goal was to create a new economy around golf, leveraging the estimated $4 billion expected to circulate in African golf in 2025.

He expressed appreciation to the R & A for the kind donations and the NSC for its commendation, promising that the donated items would be put to good use.

“As of today, there is no single golfer representing Nigeria in the Masters Open in Augusta.

“But I promise you that from what we have started here today, in the next two years, you will start to hear about the Okafors, the Chidinmas, the Abubakars, the Olademejis, just like you hear in international football,” he said.

He also shared his long-term vision, which focuses on budding talent discovery and encouraging more female participation in the he would not relent in his efforts to make golf a leading sport in the country, adding that plans were ongoing to sponsor some talents for golf training programmes abroad.

Runsewe said part of his goal was to create a new economy around golf, leveraging the estimated $4 billion expected to circulate in African golf in 2025.

He expressed appreciation to the R & A for the kind donations and the NSC for its commendation, promising that the donated items would be put to good use.

“As of today, there is no single golfer representing Nigeria in the Masters Open in Augusta.

“But I promise you that from what we have started here today, in the next two years, you will start to hear about the Okafors, the Chidinmas, the Abubakars, the Olademejis, just like you hear in international football,” he said.

He also shared his long-term vision, which focuses on budding talent discovery and encouraging more female participation in the sport.

“The entire Europe has one of the best youth golf development programmes in the history of the world.

“As a matter of fact, over 23 per cent of golfers in the U.S. now are ladies and young children.

“Our projection is to take ladies and youth participation in golf to at least 15 per cent in Nigeria.

“With renewed support from other sponsors, both locally and internationally, and a clear roadmap for development such as what we have at the NGF, we are positioning golf for a stronger future.

“Our goal is not just to grow the sport locally, but to also nurture champions who can compete on the global stage,” he said.

Other NGF board members and stakeholders present at the ceremony also thanked the R & A for their support and corroborating the President’s views on the need for more grassroots development of sport in the country.

They noted that NSC’s commendation further validates and acknowledges Runsewe’s efforts to promote golf development in Nigeria.

Other stakeholders at the ceremony were the NGF Vice President and Captain of GEJ Golf Club, AVM B.D. Solomon, Mrs Ekanem Ekwueme, the AACT Trustee for West and Central Africa, Mrs. Bose Ngozi Onwuegbu, the South West zonal representative at the NGF, and a representative of the President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), Evelyn Oyome.

Others include: Ali Peters, the Vice Captain and representative of the Captain of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Maj.- Gen. Samson Jiya, the representative of the Captain of I.E. Ibas Golf Club, Rear Admiral Julius Nwagwu, and Monday Itiola, the NGF Secretary-General, amongst others.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Emmanuel Afonne