By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Feb. 9, 2023 (NAN) Some golf enthusiasts on Thursday in Abuja commended the Ladies section of the IBB International Golf and Country Club for a well organised 24th edition of the Ladies Open Championship.
They however called for more women participation in the game of golf, adding that it was the best form of exercise which enables one keep fit and stay healthy at all times.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Championship which began on Thursday with a ceremonial tee-off is expected to climax with the closing ceremony and prize presentation to winners in the different categories on Sunday.
Pauline Tallen, Minister for Women Affairs commended the organisers of the tournament, adding that golf was a good form of exercise which will enable women keep fit and stay healthy at all times.
“I really want to commend the ladies for making me proud and I urge more women to join the golf club because golfing is just beautiful.
“It is one of the best form of exercise that will keep one fit and healthy. It is also a good way to relax the mind and body as well as feel and enjoy the beauty of nature.
“The game of golf indeed keeps you in touch with nature and gives you a rare opportunity of meeting beautiful people from different countries with diverse backgrounds and culture.
“Having said that, let me use this opportunity to welcome all our guests from the different countries that are here for the championship and wish everyone a successful, injury-free and exciting competition.
“I believe at the end of it we will come out stronger and better lady golfers,” she said.
Olusegun Runsewe, the President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) commended the IBB ladies section for putting up a good event, adding that it was an opportunity for Nigerians to tell our story to other African countries.
“I commend the lady golfers of the IBB section for organising the 24th edition of the Ladies Open which is a unique brand of bringing so many countries together as well as stakeholders in the history of golf in Nigeria.
“I am extremely very happy and I can see the development of golf growing from strength to strength.
“For me, it is a new focus of giving the lady golfers another platform of improving their standard and coming together with other African countries to network and share ideas.
“So, we are very excited to have all of them here and I will also be participating in the tournament.
“This will indeed be another opportunity for us as a country to tell our story to the African countries that are here and let them see that golf is really improving in Nigeria.
“So, I am very happy and wish the ladies a very wonderful and successful outing and at the end of the day, it will be a celebration for all,” he said.
Gbenga Elegbeleye, former Director-General, National Sports Commission, said golf was a sport for the elite and gentlemen and ladies.
“Golf is a gentleman’s game for the elites and I know the lady golfers in Nigeria are gentle ladies, very well mannered as well as hospitable and will make all the lady golfers from other African countries present here feel at home.
“It is indeed encouraging to see this large number of women from different countries participating in the beautiful game and I will like to see more women, especially in the country get involve in golf.
“I wish all participants a seamless tournament and also look beyond the competition as one for recreation.
“I urge the organisers to also find a way of encouraging the younger ones to play golf so as to develop the game at the grassroots,” he said.
Anne Abeja, the President of the Ugandan Ladies Golf Union said the championship was one of the top rated tournament in the African continent, adding that she always looks forward to participating in the competition.
“I am so excited to be here and I must confess that being a lady golfer is such a great feeling. It has many benefits as you get to travel and interact with people from different countries.
“There is also the health benefits derived from playing the game as well as so many other opportunities and advantages. So, it is an all-round game.
“I have been to several edition of the IBB Ladies Open, including last year. You recall that in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic we couldn’t make it.
“But 2022 was a great event with many foreign countries well represented and the competition was stiff. I emerged as the best foreign player
“I am looking forward to a more stiffer competition this year and hope to make top ten,” she said.
Joy Ikwue, the Lady Golf Captain of the IBB International Golf and Country Club said the aim of the championship was to bring ladies from various countries and golf courses to compete and have fun.
“We are here once again to compete amongst ourselves and crown a new champion as well as network and foster camaraderie amongst ourselves.
“This year’s tournament promises to be more competitive as we will be talking of gross and not net.
“When you talk of net, that is when you deduct the handicap of the player. But this time around we are going to be playing bone-to-bone. So, it is basically going to be a gross tournament,” she said.
Jane Ahmed, the Competition Secretary, IBB Ladies section said no fewer than 160 lady golfers from Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Botswana are taking part in the three-day gross tournament.
“This year’s tournament promises to be one of the biggest and highly competitive tournament as we have ladies from all over the country as well as other African countries competing for honours in different categories.
“We have the Open Championship, which is the main tournament for handicap 0 to 28 and will be played over a three day period with the player with the lowest gross emerging as the champion.
“We also have the Special Category for handicap 29 to 36 which is meant for IBB Lady golfers only.
“The last but not the least is the Guest Category meant for the IBB Gentlemen as well as our sponsors,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
