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No fewer than 100 golfers have converged in Uyo Akwa Ibom state capital for the 15th edition of Golf and Tour Tournament combining sporting competition with community outreach and social impacts in host communities of Ibom Golf course around Uruan local government area of the state.
Addressing a press conference in Uyo ahead of the tournament, the chairman of the organizing committee Major General Ahmed Mohammed Sabo said the charity behind the competition came in recognition of hardship faced by Nigerians in recent times.
Sabo explained that the golfers decided to come together for the sake of humanity not only by playing golf games but contribute to touch lives in host communities where the game of golf is played .
He said the charity game started in 2020 in Calabar and have played in African countries such as Cote d’ Ivoire , Uganda particularly in Kampala , Sperina Resort and Entebbe respectively.
” In 2020, golfers sometime came together and decided that we should put an association together for the sake of humanity and for the sake of coming together to interact, play the game of golf and socialize and then enjoy ourselves
“First , we started this particular association in Calabar, that was in 2021, that was where we had our first tournament.
“From there we moved to Abuja. We have had 14th edition already, this is the 15th one. We’ve had two tours out of Nigeria, we have played in Uganda and Cote d’Ivoire, particularly in Entebbe in Uganda, Kampala in Uganda, and Sperina Resort also in Kampala.
“In Cote d’Ivoire, we played in Yamasuku and Abidjan. So we had a group of friends that toured around just to enjoy the game of golf, interact and then offer assistance to the needy” .
Sabo said while playing the golf game in Uyo , players have visited Nwanaiba village and presented items to the needy before commencement of the 2 day tournament in Uyo .
“We just came back from the Nwananiba village behind us here, we went to the community there, we presented some tokens to the community, and that is our mark.
“Anywhere we go to, we make presentations, food items, we support with cash , we support with renovation, and so on.
“So, this time around, we had a bomb here for the Golf and Tour Charity Association” .
Sabo said prizes would be presented to winners at the golf course after the 2 day game at the golf course .
“Today is the arrival from all over Nigeria, members are coming. So, as we gather here, we enjoy golf for two days” .
He said the first day tournament would be a shotgun game while the second would include guest players from other clubs
“But the tomorrow’s game is only our members. And it’s going to be a shotgun pattern of a golf game.
“So, basically, like I’ve explained, that is just why we are here. And we have interacted with the members of Ibom golf club . They have given us a wonderful reception
“The game is like a tournament, it’s a competition within us because at the end of the two-day tournament, winners will emerge and there would be presentation of trophies and prizes to the winners
“Before now, myself and the organizing committee members, we have been here like three, four weeks back to make some of this arrangement down, so that when our members come, they will have ease of activity, everything will just go smoothly” .
Sabo appreciated former governor of the state Obong Victor Attah for his architectural masterplan of Uyo which included Ibom Golf Resort.
“First of all, we must thank the handlers of Ibom Golf Resorts for maintaining these edifices
“Unfortunately, when we came, that was when the Ibom Icon hotel and Golf Resort was going through renovations which is still ongoing
“The management of the Golf Course and the government of the state know that golf is an edificed game which attracts tourists and promotes tourism”
He therefore urged the state government to pay more attention to tourism development in the state.
“And we want the management and the state government to equally pay more attention to the management of the Golf Course in the state
And we thank his Excellency former governor Victor Attah , who has a vision, he is a visionary leader, an architect by profession, who promotes it and who to, you know, saw the future ”
