Over 400 players begin chase for glory at Nigeria Cup

Ikoyi Club 1938 will come alive tomorrow, when the 25th edition of the Nigeria Cup tees off at the hallowed course of the Golf Section.

The Nigeria Cup is a golf festival sponsored by Ikoyi Golf Community Nigeria Association (IGCNA) to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary.

Participants are drawn from golf clubs across the country, who, for one week, will play in various categories for material benefits and bragging rights.

According to IGCNA chairman, Felix Majekodunmi, this year’s competition will begin with the children’s category tomorrow, while other categories will start on Monday.

Majekodunmi assured golfers and the sports enthusiasts billed to feature in the silver jubilee edition of the Nigeria Cup of a week full of fun, fanfare and quality competition.

He said sponsors, individual donors and the organising committee have put in place an exciting line of activities to ensure every participant has something to savour throughout the competition.

“The Nigeria Cup, which runs for a whole week, is the biggest trophy tournament in the country.

“We want to assure you that we will have a joyous and lasting celebration of our Independence play of golf,” Majekodunmi said.

On the order of events, chairman, 2022 Nigeria Cup Organising Committee, Peter Eben-Spiff, said caddies will have their day on Monday, the ladies, veterans, invited guests and professional golfers will follow in that order leading to the grand finale on Independence Day, October 1.

“We had a qualifying round with over 400 players qualifying for the event. These include children, ladies, caddies, veterans and professionals,” Eben-Spiff said.

Justifying the need to celebrate in spite of the challenges the nation is facing at the moment, Eben-Spiff said there are always challenges in the life of a nation, saying Nigeria is not different.

According to him, the oneness that Nigeria needs to progress is what the Nigeria Cup is all about.

He revealed that club will put aside some of the proceeds from the tournament for philanthropic events to the benefit of the community.

“Last year, IGCNA spent over N70 million to revamp the irrigation system in the club,” he said.

Club Chairman, Demola Mumuney, in his speech, congratulated IGCNA for being able to sustain the spirit of the Nigeria Cup since its debut.

Host Captain, Tony Oboh, while thanking the organising committee for a job well done, urged the would-be winners and participants to always imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship in what they do.

Present at the pre-tournament briefing were the section’s Lady Vice Captain and member of events organising committee, Deola Banjoko; a committee member, Seline Hensworth; representative of Nova Bank, Kelvin Anyaegbunam; Grand Oaks representative, Amar Agada; Birdview’s representative and Bekesuoyeibo Stephnen, among others.