The National Sports Commission has commended the President of the Nigeria Golf Federation Olusegun Runsewe for his commitment and dedication to the grassroots development of golf in the country.
The NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja, during the unveiling of golf equipment donated by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, 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 the sport nationwide.
Fayoyiwa noted that the NGF’s efforts in revitalising the game of golf in Nigeria and making the country to be competitive at the global golf stage, and preparing the country to reap the benefits of international golf tournaments and investments was highly commendable.
“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 are 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 and one 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, on his part, 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 his 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.