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From Akanimo Kufre, Uyo
The countdown to the remodeled League of African Ambassadors Golf Tournament has gathered fresh momentum, with former Chief of Army Staff and Member of the Board of Trustees of the League of African Ambassadors, Ambassador Lt. Gen. Tukur Y. Buratai, CFR, receiving the tournament’s official goodie bag and souvenirs.
Buratai received the items last Thursday when a delegation of the Nigeria Golf Tournament Planning Committee, led by its Chairman, Ambassador Ben Okoyen, paid him a courtesy visit ahead of the two-day diplomatic golfing event scheduled for August 29 and 30, 2026, at the Ibom Golf and Country Club, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The visit provided more than a ceremonial tee-up to the tournament. It offered the committee an opportunity to underline Buratai’s importance to the League and his unifying role within the African diplomatic community.
Presenting the souvenirs, Okoyen said the committee was honoured to organise the tournament under Buratai’s auspices, noting his contributions to diplomacy and his standing among African diplomats.
“It is my great pleasure, on behalf of the Nigeria Golf Tournament Committee of the League of African Ambassadors, to present to Your Excellency the official goodie bag and souvenirs of our forthcoming Golf Tournament, which is being organised under your auspices from 29th and 30th August 2026 at Ibom Golf and Country Club, Uyo,” Okoyen said.
But while the tournament retains its competitive spirit and social appeal, the committee has taken a significant turn on its original format by dropping the fundraising component.
According to Okoyen, the decision followed a resolution of the League’s Executive Committee, with the tournament now refocused on golf, diplomacy, networking and friendship.
“As we move forward with the tournament, following the resolution of the Executive Committee of the League of African Ambassadors, we have also refined the event focus by dropping the fundraising component. We are repositioning the tournament principally around golf, diplomacy, networking and friendship,” he said.
The decision is expected to give the tournament a stronger sporting identity, placing the fairways and greens at the heart of an event designed to bring together ambassadors, diplomats, government officials, business leaders and friends of Africa.
For the organisers, golf offers an unusual diplomatic language — one spoken not from conference tables, but across fairways, greens and clubhouse conversations, where competition can give way to friendship and informal interaction.
“We believe golf provides a unique platform for ambassadors, diplomats, government officials, business leaders and friends of Africa to meet informally, build relationships and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation,” Okoyen added.
The committee also expressed appreciation to Buratai for his support and guidance, describing his contributions to diplomacy on the African continent as significant and widely acknowledged.
Buratai accepted the souvenirs and appreciated the committee for the visit. His interest as he examined the contents of the goodie bag further reflected his support for the League’s initiatives and the tournament’s broader objective of strengthening relationships through sport.
With the fundraising element now removed, attention turns squarely to the golf course, where the League of African Ambassadors hopes to create two days of competitive play, diplomatic camaraderie and lasting friendships when the tournament tees off in Uyo.
