Major General Bolaji Salami (retd) has emerged the overall best net winner of the 2024 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) Golf Tournament in Abuja.
Salami beat others to the trophy at the tournament played at the I.E. IBAS Golf Club, Karshi which was organised by the Defence Headquarters in collaboration with the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF).
Salami playing off handicap 23 with a gross score of 77 and 54 net won the overall best net prize in the retirees category for handicap 19 to 28. Anebi E.O. playing off handicap 16 with 86 gross and 67 net emerged best gross in the category.
Sporting Tribune reports that Ayanbode A.O. playing off handicap 17 with a gross score of 81 and 64 net finished tops in the serving men category, while Ayomanor D.A. with 64 gross, emerged as best gross in the category.
While Deborah John won the over best net prize in the Guest Ladies’ category after she played off handicap 36 with a gross score of 99 and 63 net to beat Tessy Johnson on countback, Rose Nyam playing off handicap 20 with a gross score of 85 and 65 net emerged as best gross in the Guest Ladies’ category.
Also, Rebecca Danladi, playing off handicap 25 with a gross score of 87 and 62 net, took home the top prize in the Serving Ladies category and so is Hauwa A. playing off handicap 16 with a gross score of 83 and 67 net emerged as best gross in the category.
Salami who was speaking with media after being presented with his prize and trophy thanked the organisers for coming up with an event to honour heroes who laid down their lives for others to live.
“I feel highly elated because the game of golf is life itself. I want to use this opportunity to thank the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Service Chiefs for putting this together to honour our departed troops.
“I also use this opportunity to encourage the populace to continue to lend their support to the troops, so that they will be able to achieve their goal of securing the lives of citizens in the country.”
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt Gen Christopher Musa, who was represented by Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Nkem Aguiyi said the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day was a special event to celebrate the country’s fallen heroes as well as living veterans and serving personnel.
“The Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is an annual event to celebrate the nation’s fallen heroes who lost their lives in active service as well as honour Veterans of World War and the civil war. It is also to celebrate the living veterans and serving personnel who work tirelessly to safeguard the sovereignty of the nation while ensuring peace and security for social and economic activities to thrive.
“Globally, the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is celebrated on Nov. 11, known as the “Armistice Day. However, with the surrendering of Biafra on January 15, 1970, which marked the end of the Nigerian Civil War, the Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day is now celebrated in Nigeria on January 15 annually.
“It is for this reason that a golf tournament is included as part of activities to mark the year 2024 Armed forces Celebration and Remembrance Day. Golfing as a game also promotes social interactions, thereby building teamwork and esprit de corps,” the CDS stated.