The National Sports Commission (NSC), has commended the President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Olusegun Runsewe, for his unwavering commitment to grassroots golf development in the country.

NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, disclosed this in Abuja, during the unveiling of golf equipment donated by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R &A), Scotland to the NGF.

Shola Fayoyiwa, a deputy director in the NSC, who represented Dikko, said Runsewe’s dedication to promoting golf at the grassroots level has been evident in his initiatives to increase participation and develop sport nationwide.

Dikko, who was represented by the Deputy Director of NSC, Shola Fayoyiwa, praised Runsewe’s dedication to expanding golf participation and development across Nigeria.

The NSC Chairman noted that the NGF’s efforts are highly commendable in revitalising the game of golf in Nigeria, making Nigeria competitive on the global golf stage, and preparing the country to reap the benefits of international golf tournaments and investments.

Dikko said: “Indeed, what the NGF is doing here today is in line with the NSC’s vision and mission, which is to ‘catch them young’. Before we have anybody representing the country at the international level, we must identify them.

“Also, if we want to identify any talents at the grassroots, we must have the equipment. So, we at the NSC are very excited about what the NGF is doing to attract the attention of the international community to the grassroots development of golf in the country.

“The donation by the R & A is a welcome development and we encourage other federations to explore as we look forward to more collaborations and sponsorships from other international bodies in this regard.”

In his remarks, NGF President said he would not relent in his efforts to make golf a leading sport in the country, adding that plans were ongoing to sponsor some talents for golf training programmes abroad.

Runsewe said part of his goal was to create a new economy around golf, leveraging the estimated $4 billion expected to circulate in African golf in 2025.

He expressed appreciation to the R & A for the kind donations and the NSC for its commendation, promising that the donated items would be put to good use.

Runsewe said: “As of today, there is no single golfer representing Nigeria in the Masters Open in Augusta. But I promise you that from what we have started here today, in the next two years, you will start to hear about the Okafors, the Chidinmas, the Abubakars, the Olademejis, just like you hear about international football.”

He also shared his long-term vision, which focuses on budding talent discovery and encouraging more female participation in the sport.

Other NGF board members and stakeholders present at the ceremony also thanked the R & A for their support and corroborating the President’s views on the need for more grassroots development of sport in the country.

They noted that NSC’s commendation further validates and acknowledges Runsewe’s efforts to promote golf development in Nigeria.

Other stakeholders at the ceremony were the NGF Vice President and Captain of GEJ Golf Club, AVM B.D. Solomon, Mrs. Ekanem Ekwueme, the AACT Trustee for West Central Africa, Mrs. Bose Ngozi Onwuegbu, the South West zonal representative at the NGF, and a representative of the President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), Evelyn Oyome, and a representative of the President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), Evelyn Oyome

Others include: Ali Peters, the Vice Captain and representative of the Captain of TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, Maj.- Gen. Samson Jiya, the representative of the Captain of I.E. Ibas Golf Club, Rear Admiral Julius Nwagwu, and Monday Itiola, the NGF Secretary-General, among others.