Iweze preaches importance of schools to game’s development

Vice-Chairman of the Delta State Golf Association, Peter Iweze, has joined the call for governments at all level to pay attention to sports development through schools, saying that was only the country could regain its lost status as one of the world’s greatest sporting nations, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Speaking at the teeing off of the Seventh Peter Iweze Caddy Golf tourney at the Ibori Golf Club, Asaba, Iweze, a retired Wing Commander, said schools sports provided the best platform for
the discovery of sporting talents, who could be future champions.

He appealed to government to give it priority attention, adding, “I believe that the only way to discover great sports talents for future championships are through tournaments such as this.

“The idea of school sports is to discover talents from the grassroots and provide them the platform to express themselves and
become future superstars. This is what our government should be doing. Let them concentrate on school sports, inject funds into grassroots developmental initiative like this.”

He described the annual Peter Iweze Championship as an avenue to bring together caddies from within and outside the state, saying it has over the years produced winners that have shown great promise in golf.

Iweze said his passion for sports, particularly golf, had over the years helped him to achieve success during his military career.

He added: “The reason for my unrelenting passion for sports is that it generally has been the bedrock of my success in virtually all my endeavours in life — from my secondary school days to my commissioning into the Nigerian Airforce.

“Through sports, I was at a time, the Executive Secretary International Military Sports at West African Liaison Office and African Representative on the International Military Sport Council, with headquarters in Brussels.”

He revealed that his ambition is to handover the baton that brought him success and fame to a new generation of younger people who should succeed him.

“This year we made all efforts to get sponsors but it’s is unfortunate that corporate organisations are still only tied to big
names attached to sports events before offering sponsorship.

“Next year we intend to improve on the level of the tournament and also increase the prizes, so I want to appeal to governments and organisations to get involved and help to develop these talents,” Iweze said.

The 2015 edition of the tournament, he said, featured not less than 60 caddies, which is a massive improvement on the inaugural edition of the tournament six years ago that had only 15 caddies in attendance.

Addressing the caddies, Francis Isikwu, who is the resident professional at the Ibori Golf Club, Asaba, admonished them to conduct themselves on the golf course and play with enthusiasm.

“Golf is for the gentle and determined. Make friends, play with your heart and express yourselves on the golf course, when you do that you can go places,” he said.

At the end of the competition, Emmanuel Samuel scored 88 gross in 18 holes to emerge the winner in the boys’ category. Ayeni Omo scored 90 gross to finish second, while Okeke Chinedu was placed third with 92 gross.

In the Girls category, Okungbowa Dianna scored 112 gross to emerge winner; Charity James scored 114 gross to finish second, while Ruth Amadi scored 171 to pick the third position.

The tournament drew caddies from Warri, Sapele, Benin City and Asaba golf clubs.