By Victor Okoye
Abuja, May 20, 2024 (NAN) Abubakar Umar has emerged the overall winner of the 1st BON Amateur Senior Citizens Golf tournament in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament which was organised by Bose Onwuegbu Ngozi (BON) Sports Promotions and Events Ltd. began on Friday and ended on Saturday at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja.
Umar playing off handicap 20 with a gross score of 85 and 65 net won the overall best net prize in the male category of the senior and very senior citizens event.
Josephine Ayu playing off handicap 21 with a gross score of 86 and 65 net won the best net prize in the senior and very senior ladies category.
Maj. Gen. D.D. Ahmadu playing off handicap 18 with 87 gross and 69 net finished as runner up in the senior men’s category, while Shola Messe who played off handicap 18 with 88 gross and 70 net settled for the second runner up prize.
Maj. Gen. C.O. Okoro (Rtd.) playing off handicap 17, with 89 gross and 72 net finished as runner up in the very senior citizens category, while Martins Adaboh with 85 gross won the best gross prize in the category.
Brig. Gen. David Lubo (Rtd) who played off handicap 15 with 81 gross and 61 net won the prize for the best net in the category.
In the Guest men’s category, Chile Ushahemba, playing off handicap 27 with 95 gross and 68 net finished as runner up, while Mathais Zadock settled for the second runner up position in the category.
Mike Timothy with 72 gross won the prize for the best gross, while Stephen Godwin with 66 net won the best net prize in the category.
In the Guest Ladies’ category, former IBBIGCC Lady Captain Joy Ikwue playing off handicap 28 with a gross score of 94 and 66 net finished as runner up in the category, while Omon Isemede playing off handicap 36 with 103 gross and 67 net settled for the second runner up prize.
S.J Marcus with 84 gross won the best gross prize in the category, while Helen Ayo playing off handicap 17 with 81 gross and 64 net won the best net prize.
The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh who was represented by his Special Assistant on Strategy, Orok Effanga said the ministry was happy to support and collaborate with BON in ensuring that the senior citizens are not left out in sporting activities.
“I think it is a good thing to engage the elderly ones in recreational and sporting activities such as golf as it helps them to keep fit and healthy
“What we have been able to do is to see sports not just as a recreational activity but also to see it as beneficial to our overall health and wellbeing.
“So, I think that events like these are very key for the category of people which it was put together for and I must commend the organisers in this regard,” he said.
Mrs Bose Onwuegbu told newsmen that the reason behind organising the tournament was because of her love for the elderly ones in the society, adding that the tournament would be a yearly event.
“The senior citizens cut across the military, para-military and civilians.
“So, the tournament was put together to carry our senior citizens along, make them happy and ensure feel a sense of belonging.
“You know when one is aging, there are so many things that come with old age such as depression, anger, loneliness, to mention a few.
“So, we put these in place to ensure they engage in the mental and physical exercise which the game of golf provides and also entertain and make them happy,” she said.
Ali Peters, the Vice Captain of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club said it was a pleasure to host the event at the prestigious and serene environment of the club, adding that the senior citizens deserve to be celebrated.
“We took particular interest in BON because the idea they came up with was unique.
“We usually make the mistske of always forgetting about our senior citizens, most of whom are retired officers who have served the country for many years. They sacrificed their lives and freedom to make sure that we have peace.
“Also are those who are retired civil servants as well as those in the corporate world who have left an indelible mark and contributed to the growth and development of our nation. They should not be forgotten.
“So, as a club we saw the idea by the organisers as a unique one and that’s why we decided to support her by making our golf course available, just to give back to these elderly ones who have served us and the nation in one way or the other,” he said.(NAN)
