*No fewer than 146 children participating at the championship in Abuja
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Aug.16, 2024 (NAN) Some sports enthusiasts have called for the organisation of more grassroots golf competitions to ensure the development of the sport in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was the main thrust at the ceremonial tee-off of the 16th IBB Junior Open Golf Championship in Abuja.
The championship which is being organised by the IBB Ladies Golf Section teed off on Thursday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja and is expected to end on Saturday.
A cross section of golf enthusiasts who spoke on the sidelines of the event on Thursday harped on the need to ensure that golf competitions at the grassroots were sustained across the country.
Sunday Dare, the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development said that holding the 16th edition of the grassroots competition and sustaining it for such a long time was very commendable.
“It is such an important landmark. It is the 16th edition which is very impressive.
“The key thing for me is “junior” because I often say that the gold is in the child.
“Unless you start to give these young talents the required training and competitions they need, they cannot grow up to give us the medals that we need,” he said.
He said that the 16th edition of the championship was a testament to the fact that the competition had over the years produced quality players.
He called on other sporting federations in the country to borrow a leaf from what is being done at the IBB Golf Club and organise more grassroots competitions.
“I think this is very important and I am very supportive of this event and I hope several other sports in the country can organise junior, senior, amateur and elite championships.
“Every single sport must develop its young ones from the junior stage before they can hit podium performance,” he said
Dare commended the organisers for what they had done so far, adding that keeping the championship going for 16 years was not a mean feat.
“I must give kudos to the organisers for bringing these talented young ones coming from different clubs across the country. It takes alot to put together an event like this.
“So I want to commend them for what they are doing and urge them to continue the good work and ensure that this championship is sustained year in, year out.
“As they bring up these new young talented golfers, they must also ensure that they get the needed support.
Golf is now a well recognised sport. It is in the Olympics and played on the global stage big time. Some of these young ones one day will represent this country and win medals for us,” he said.
Ibrahim Babayo, the Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja said the championship was very dear to the club, adding that the young ones represent the future of the sport.
“If we don’t develop these young talents, then there is no hope for the survival of the game in the country.
“This is why we attach so much importance to this championship. It is where our young ones come to showcase their golfing prowess.
“Out of this programme we have been able to produce about six pros who are now in the professional cadre of golf.
“So, that tells you how dear to us the championship is,” he said.
Julie Donli, the Lady Captain of the Club said the competition was one that involves children from all the states of the federation.
“This year we are lucky to have children from nine states and the FCT participate in this championship.
“Unfortunately, we had a rather sad incident with the contigent from Ekiti state and now we have to go on without them.
“We have a total of 146 children right now that are ready to slug it out for honours and to become the champion of the 16th edition of the championship,” she said.
Donli said that the championship was open to the ages of 7 to 18 years old, adding that the children were ready and anxious to battle for this year’s trophy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
