President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has introduced a new dimension in golf development with the unveiling of an online-based golf training programme in the country which is the first of its kind in Africa.
Runsewe said he was happy that the concept which was once a dream had become a reality while adding that he had also sponsored some pros for training abroad and organised several digital golf training for Nigerian golf professionals at the Golf and Health Signature, Abuja to ensure that Nigerian golf hits the world stage in no distant time.
He said that a total of five pros namely; Elisha Markus, Aminu Baba, Musa Ayuba, Sharon Wesley and Daniel Pam have been chosen to pilot the training programme so they would be exposed to international best practices and standards.
“This is a dream come true. Some few years ago, I realised that our golfing here in the country was too local and there was a need to expose our people. In the process, I travelled to South Africa and met some pros. During our conversation, I realised that our pros here in the country are a bit far off with regard to IT-based training of golf.
“Instantly, that year, I went to the Botswana Embassy and got visas for two Nigerian pros to travel to Botswana for some relevant golf training course. They went, came back and were very helpful to us.
“Afterwards, I realised that there was still a need to expose our pros more to the game. However, it was a bit difficult due to the high cost of having to bring some pros from abroad or taking our pros out of the country.
“I had to call on the resident pro in Botswana, Kelosiwaag Mpoh, who agreed to come over to the country at a reduced cost. He came and gave about 15 Nigerian pros some exposure to the modern training techniques,” the NGF boss said.
Runsewe, however, stated that he recently discovered that a golfer must not have to go on the course every time to take lessons saying one can choose to do it online, especially in the modern world of internet technology and communication.
“I felt that this innovation should start from Nigeria and as of today, we have succeeded in bringing in one of the biggest production companies to take five of our pros in four strategic basic areas of golf training, that is, hitting a long drive, bunker shot, chips, and putting.
“We have two pros on long drive training, and one each on bunker shot, chipping and putting. Bunker shot training became very necessary because most Nigerian golfers see the bunker as a very difficult part of the game, whereas if one practices it, you will find out that it is as easy as every other shot in the game.
“These five pros will kick start our pilot online training programme on golf. This is the very first time we are going into this, and we are very proud and happy that we are starting from somewhere.”
Runsewe said that people were already very excited about the training and had started asking for the videos. He said he was very proud and excited about the new concept, especially the beauty of the training and its unique similarity with what obtains around the world.
“One basic advantage of this is that when the video goes viral, people can even call a specific pro to take them on specific training based on personal terms and agreement.
“So, it’s like opening a new window for online lessons and golf development in Nigeria. This can also go a long way, in terms of grassroots development of the game as a lot of our schools can take advantage of the opportunity by playing these videos to help teach the young ones,” he stated.
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