Golf Stakeholders Urge Govt Investment as 65 Golfers Celebrate Asiwaju Badmus at 80

The government at all levels have been called to invest more in golf development, stressing that Nigeria possesses abundant talents capable of producing world-class golfers.

The call was made at the continuation celebration of the 80th birthday anniversary Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States Khamis Olatunde Badmus.

Speaking the head of professional of MicCom Golf Club, Liadi Jayeola noted that golf should not be seen only as a game for the elite, adding that young people across the country can benefit immensely from participating in the sport if given the right support and exposure.

He stressed that golf can serve as a tool for youth engagement and social development, particularly in keeping young people away from crime and other negative influences.

According to him, “If the government supports golf, we can also produce the likes of Tiger Woods. We have talents in this game and government intervention is very important.

“They shouldn’t look at golf as an elite game alone. It is also for the young ones. They can take them off the streets and keep them busy through the game.

“We need government intervention to support this game, a programme like catch them young to support the game. The last national sport festival Osun has never won a gold, but the last one at Abeokuta we won a gold.”

Speaking on the celebration of Badmus, he said that no fewer than 65 golfers across the South-West of Nigeria gathered to celebrate with him.

Jayeola said, “We have veteran golfers across the South-West, including from Ilorin, Ogbomoso, Ilesa, Ile-Ogbo, Ekiti, Ibadan and Abeokuta, among others. We have five representatives from each club, apart from the MicCom Golf Club, Ada. They all converged here to celebrate with him.

“We have no fewer than 65 golfers participating in the game to celebrate the 80th birthday anniversary of Asiwaju Khamis Olatunde Badmus.

“We have 3 categories of price for this event, the first price will go home with N2 million, runner up will go home with N1million, while the third place will go home with N500,000,” he said.