Lagos International Junior Open tees off

The three-day competition, which will feature junior players from Ghana, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire, is jointly being organised by the Nigerian Golf Federation (NGF) and the Lagos State Government.

According to the organisers, although the tournament is aimed at taking golf to the grassroots, it will also serve as qualifiers for the All African Junior Golf Championship slated for Zambia from May 3 to 8, 2015, and the Kids Golf Championship in South Africa between May and August.

Speaking on the tournament, NGF Vice President, Kunle Dada, who is the chairman of the organizing committee, said, “the thrust of this championship is developing the game at the grassroots.

“The event promises to be an interesting one because our junior players will not just be competing among themselves, but against players from outside the country.

“This is the first of its kind in the West Africa, hence we are partnering with the Lagos State Government because of the financial and logistic challenges involved.

“Everybody in Nigeria and other West Africa countries, within the age bracket are invited. It will serve as qualifiers for the All Africa Junior Golf Championship and Kids Golf Championship in South Africa.”

He revealed that the Lagos State Government is solely sponsoring the tournament, adding that more African countries would be invited to the event with time.

Dada believes “this tournament will also foster friendship amongst them and our sincere gratitude go to the Governor of Lagos State, Raji Fashola, who has always been a good supporter of sports in the State and Oshodi for the Sponsorship of this event.”

Also speaking on the tournament, Vice Chairman, Lagos State Golf Association (LSGA), Biyi Fetuga, said, “the tournament is another way of exposing the kids to the game in line with the association catch them young policy.”

He said that Lagos State sponsored the tournament because of its belief in sports development, adding that kids would be taught the rudiments of golf in the clinics that would go with the competition.

Fetuga advised all stakeholders to endeavour to erase the impression that golf is for the elite by providing facilities that would guarantee access to the game.