…Urges govts, corporate bodies, others to take up the challenge
Federal and State Governments, corporate bodies and patriotic rich Nigerians have been urged to redouble their contributions in funding the development of the game of Golf in the country.
Nigeria’s former Number One Golfer in the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN), Order of Merit (2023 term rankings), Golf Professional Kamalu Bako, made the call in an interview with our Correspondent.
Bako said with about 47 Golf Courses, over 100 Golf Professionals and thousands of Amateur Players, the game was fast developing and becoming more popular in Nigeria.
He said; “Apart from the health benefits derived by the players, golf promotes unity, develops tourism and boosts the economy through inter-clubs match plays, national and international tournaments”.
Currently number 3,748 in the latest Official World Golf Ranking, Bako, who just returned from the Sunshine Development Tour in Kenya, was placed 18th among 65 other Golf Professionals at the Absa Ruiru Invitational in Kenya, held from 16th to 18th August.
He stressed the need for the Governments and corporate bodies as well as Sports philanthropists to partner with the NGF and PGAN to further uplift the game by sponsoring Nigerian Golf Professionals to regional, continental and international tournaments.
Bako said Golf Professionals in other countries are brand ambassadors of airlines and telecommunications companies, and are also engaged in promotional and public awareness campaigns, adding that the story is different in Nigeria despite the popularity of the game that was first introduced in the country about 120 years ago with the first Golf Course established in Kano in 1908.
The Kano born Golfer, based at IBB International Golf and Country Club Abuja, said the seven Nigerian Golf Professionals who participated at the just concluded Absa Ruiru Invitational in Kenya partly sponsored themselves with few donations from some individuals while majority of the other players who came from different parts of Africa were either sponsored by their home governments or private corporate bodies and individuals.
Bako, who was placed 20th among 120 at the Opening game played at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Kenya, from June 7th to 9th, secured the 19th place among the 100 other Professional Golfers who played from June 14 to 16 at the Golf Course of Vetlab Sports Club also in Nairobi, and took the 18th position out of 85 at another event played from July 7th to 9th at the Absa Nyali Golf and Country Club, Mombassa.
The Absa Ruiru Invitational attracted professional and amateur golfers from across Africa, with competitors also battling for valuable Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit, Official World Golf Ranking and World Amateur Golf Ranking points.
The East Africa Swing continues at Kigali Golf Resort & Villas from September 11 to 13 for the SportsBiz Africa Golf Championship.
