by The Ajasa News | June 20, 2025 6:52 am
Oganisers of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) Northern Zone Golf Championship, says the tournament aims to motivate more northern women in the country to embrace the game of golf.
No fewer than 250 golfers from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja have converged in Minna, Niger State capital for the year 2025 Northern Zonal Golf Open Championship.
The participants are expected to play the 54-hole tournament over three days.
Lami Ahmed, the 1st Vice president of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) told newsmen during a press conference in Minna on Wednesday that the objective of championship was to motivate women to embrace the game and also to increase LGAN’s scope of exposure to the different golf courses in the North.
“The inspiration to organise this prestigious championship here in Minna comes from our president, Evelyn Oyome who has been preaching about the need for us to embrace inclusiveness and spread the goodnews of golf to women, so as to increase our membership.
“So, we decided that rather than just staying and enjoying ourselves at the capital, Abuja, it was important for us to share the good news up north.
“This is for women who do not believe that we can play this game, perhaps some of them have never seen a lady in a golf attire before, and that’s why we decided to go to Kano last year and here we are in Minna,” she said.
Ahmed noted that the championship was indeed the first-of-its-kind as it had never been played in Minna before.
“This is the first time we are bringing a zonal open championship to Minna.
“This is because we must spread the good news, and we must give opportunity to every corner of this country and particularly every of the north.
“We want to motivate women to embrace the game and also to increase our scope of exposure to the different golf courses we have in the North.
“We want to be able to show that when we talk about promoting unity, peace, and well-being through golf, it can happen anywhere, including here in Minna,” she said.
Evelyn Oyome, the LGAN President expressed her gratitude to the management of the club and the Cantonment Commandant for the privilege to make use of the Minna Cantonment Golf course to showcase the LGAN Northern Zone ladies to the entire county.
Oyome explained that the championship was also an avenue to select ladies who would represent the Zone at the national level of the competition in November in Abuja, which is expected to usher in the new LGAN president.
“Hosting this championship here has indeed shown that Minna is a good golfing destination for ladies.
“We will also be selecting the best ladies from here to represent the northern zone at the LGAN National Championship in November where your zonal and my 1st Vice president will take over as the president of the Association.
“I can sincerely can boast from the depth of my heart that she has been well-tutored and poised to do much more than I have done,” she said.
She also appreciated all the lady captains of the various clubs and participants for their consistency in always turning up in their numbers to represent their clubs at every golf event organised by the association.
“On behalf of the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Otunba Olusola Adekanola, and the entire trustees of LGAN, I welcome everyone to the Northern Zone Ladies Golf Championship.
“I wish you all a very wonderful golfing experience here at the Minna Cantonment Golf Club,” she said.
The president further hinted that about 26 African countries are expected in Nigeria to compete for the All Africa Golf Challenge Trophy scheduled take place at the IBB Golf Club, Abuja next year.
She appealed to the federal government through the National Sports Commission (NSC) to do all it can to ensure a successful hosting of the prestigious international ladies’ golfing event.
The Captain of the Club, Brig. Gen. H.M. Abubakar, on his part, thanked LGAN for the honour and privilege of hosting the event at the Minna Cantonment Golf Club.
“I stand here wearing two caps; one as the captain of our prestigious golf club and also representing the Commandant of the Cantonment who is unavoidably absent.
“He has asked me to represent him and welcome you all specially here.
“We are highly delighted to have you. A few weeks ago, we hosted the Golf and Tour Charity Association Tournament, and today, we are highly privileged to have all the ladies from all corners of Nigeria here,” he said.
NAN reports that other events which preceeded the press conference include; the ceremonial tee-off, hoisting of flags, a colourful parade, which saw TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Abuja emerge overall winners as well as an exciting Raggae night celebration to wrap up Day One activities.
The tournament proper teed off on Thursday with the Ladies handicap 0 to 28, 29 to 36, as well as the veterans slugging it out for honours at the lush green course of the Minna Cantonment Golf Club.
A high powered delegation which included the LGAN President, LGAN 1st Vice president, LGAN Zonal as well as lady captains from the various clubs in the northern zone paid a courtesy call on His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Umar Faruq Bahago (OON), the Emir of Minna palace, where they sought the Emir’s blessing and presented some valuable gifts to him.
An all-white party to celebrate all lady captains in the North wrapped up the event’s activities on Thursday.
NAN also reports that the championship continues with Tournament Day 2 on Friday with ladies handicap 0 to 28, and would also feature the men’s handicap 0 to 28.
There would also be a colourful cultural night to wrap up Friday’s activities.
The final round of the ladies handicap 0 to 28, and the men’s handicap 0 to 28 categories will be played on Saturday with 45 ladies expected to make the cut.
The championship, which began on Wednesday, is expected to end on Saturday with a presentation ceremony/ banquet. (NAN)
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