NSC commends Runsewe for commitment to grassroots golf development in Nigeria

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has commended the President, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Chief Olusegun Runsewe, for his commitment and dedication to the grassroots development of golf in the country.

The chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, made the remarks on Friday during the unveiling of golf equipment donated by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R &A), Scotland to the NGF.

A deputy director in the NSC, Shola Fayoyiwa, who represented Dikko, at the event, commended the NGF President’s dedication to promoting golf at the grassroots level, which he said has been evident in his initiatives to increase participation and develop the sport nationwide.

He commended the NGF’s efforts in revitalising the game of golf in Nigeria, making the country competitive at the global golf stage, and preparing the country to reap the benefits of international golf tournaments and investments.

He said, “Indeed, what the NGF is doing here today is in line with the NSC’s vision and mission, which is to ‘catch them young’. Before we have anybody representing the country at the international level, we must identify them.

“Also, if we want to identify any talents at the grassroots, we must have the equipment. So, we at the NSC are very excited about what the NGF is doing to attract the attention of the international community to the grassroots development of golf in the country.

“The donation by the R & A is a welcome development, and we encourage other federations to explore it as we look forward to more collaborations and sponsorships from other international bodies in this regard.”

The NGF President, however, pledged not relent in his efforts to make golf a leading sport in the country while revealing that plans were ongoing to sponsor some talents for golf training programmes abroad.

According to Runsewe, part of his goal was to create a new economy around golf leveraging on the estimated $4 billion expected to circulate in African golf in 2025, as he expressed appreciation to the R&A for the donations and the NSC for its commendation with a promise that the donated items would be put to good use.

“As of today, there is no single golfer representing Nigeria in the Masters Open in Augusta. But I promise you that from what we have started here today, in the next two years, you will start to hear about the Okafors, the Chidinmas, the Abubakars, and the Olademejis, just like you hear in international football.”

Runsewe also shared his long-term vision, which focuses on budding talent discovery and encouraging more female participation in the sport.

“The entire Europe has one of the best youth golf development programmes in the history of the world. As a matter of fact, over 23 per cent of golfers in the U.S. now are ladies and young children.

“Our projection is to take ladies and youth participation in golf to at least 15 per cent in Nigeria. With renewed support from other sponsors, both locally and internationally, and a clear roadmap for development, such as what we have at the NGF, we are positioning golf for a stronger future.

“Our goal is not just to grow the sport locally, but also to nurture champions who can compete on the global stage,” the NGF boss stated.