Sports Minister reiterates Government commitment to Golf Development

September 28 17:31 2019 by The Ajasa News Print This Article

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has stated unequivocally that the game of golf will be supported in Nigeria.

The Minister made this commitment Saturday at the ceremonial Tee-off of the 59th Independence ceremony of the IBB International Golf Club in Abuja. Mr Dare who represented President Muhammadu Buhari the Grand Patron of the club performed the tee-off.  

Delivering the goodwill message on behalf of the president, Sunday Dare stated that the leadership of the country has progressed within these 59 years of Independence, stressing that the current leadership is concerned with building structures for the development of the country and that the  Administration  is interested in  sports development in a way that goes beyond sporting activities.     

                      
He said the Ministry has been collaborating and exploring ways to strengthen some of these supports and also stressed that he is aware of the fact that golf needs funding  like every other sports in the country.                       

The Minister disclosed that he has a novel initiative that includes “adopt an athlete, adoption a sport, adopt a pitch for stadium upgrade, and adopt a sport centre” that are all geared towards encouraging private sector participation in sports. 

The minister confirmed that he is already soliciting support from the Federal Capital territory authority so as to add  the golf course under the ambit of its  Ministry.

 
Speaking earlier, the Captain of the Golf club, Mr. Shola Awoyungbo briefed the Minister on the effort the club has made to bring back and restore the glory of the golf course. He said they have adopted the Public, Private Partnership where members of the public can have access to the course.  

                       
Mr. Shola noted the Golf club have a natural environment that which informed why the United Nations (UN) visited there some times back to survey and ascertain the kind of animals that will be suitable for  the environment. He never the less maintained that ecological problem has remained  the biggest challenge confronting the club.