Ibadan players set for cancer awareness tourney

As part of its efforts to create awareness on cancer, Ibadan Golf Club (IGC) has concluded plans to host the fourth Cancer Awareness Golf Tournament on December 10 and 11.

The golf tournament was conceptualised by a concerned golfer and former Lady Captain of IGC, Mrs. Lizzy Afonja, who revealed that she has lost many of her loved ones to cancer.

She is of the opinion that creating awareness about cancer, using golf, could reduce the scourge.

Speaking in Ibadan ahead of the event, Afonja lamented that she has lost over 20 people to the deadly disease, saying the advocacy against the ailment is part of her efforts to curb the disease.

“We are using this golf tournament to carry out advocacies against the deadly disease called cancer; it is killing people around us irrespective of age or background. The campaign is to enlighten people on how to tackle it if the symptoms are noticed early in the body.

“Consulting for advice from medical practitioners should be the first thing to do and not going to spiritualists for prayers. I am not saying people should not pray about cancer cases, but seek immediate medical solutions should be the first step because many have lost their lives from ill advice from pastors, who told them not to go for surgery.

“Cancer can happen in any part of your body. It is very painful to me because I have lost many loved ones to cancer…in the past 24 years I have lost over 20 friends, and that was why I came up with the idea to use golf to advocate cancer awareness, where doctors will come around and enlighten us about the scourge.”

She expressed happiness over the success recorded during the first three editions of the campaign, noting that more than 150 golfers are expected to feature in the event this year.