It is wrong to assume golf is for the rich alone, says Oriss

Secretary General of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Mr. Taiwo Oriss, is not comfortable with the belief in some quarters that the sport is for the elite and therefore does not deserve government patronage. He also asserts that golf, more than many other games, has the potential to employ Nigerian youths, as well as win laurels for the country in international championships.

Speaking at the weekend on NGF’s grassroots development programme, which he said would help discover and nurture quality payers for the country, Oriss said, “it is really not news any more that golf, like some other sports, has not been given its right of place by those charged with administering sports in Nigeria.

“The issue is that government believes golf is for the elite and therefore the rich can take care of it. When we went to defend our budget, they told us that we could take care of the sport without government support. That is not fair because we have so many events that have nothing to do with the elite.”

According to Oriss, NGF’s youth development programme “involves going to the grassroots to scout for talents and after that we go as far as getting shoes and other equipment for these children, who ordinarily cannot afford such items.

“At the last African Youth Games, our players won medals for Nigeria. We sponsored these children to compete for the country, yet we are not supported by government.”

Oriss believes the inclusion of golf in the National Youth Games slated for the University of Ilorin next month will help the federation in its efforts to take the game to all corners of the country.

The National Youth Games is essentially an event for secondary school students designed to unearth talents in the various sports.

Oriss said participating in the youth games would aid the rapid development of the sport, as it would demystify the game, adding, “we support everything that helps in catching them young.

“It will also give us the opportunity to get more grassroots coaches into the system.”