2023 Independence Golf: Sport as a tool for unity, investment

Posted : 03 October 2023

Some golf enthusiasts have harped on the game of golf as a veritable tool for unity, tourism, trade, and investment. A cross-section of golf enthusiasts made the remarks on the sidelines of the 2023 IBB Independence Golf and Tennis Tournament in Abuja.

The tournament was held at IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja. Olabanjo Olaleye, the captain of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, said the tournament aimed at using golf as a rallying platform for the unity, security, and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.

“We are very happy to be Nigerians, and our 63rd Independence Anniversary is worth celebrating.
“We are together, one country with one vision and one purpose.
"We will continue to be united as Nigerians; this indeed is the significance of this event," he said.

Obaleye said one of the objectives of the tournament was also to foster trade relationships and camaraderie among other African countries. He said that part of the event’s programme was a business-to-business (B2B) dinner with all four participating countries from Cameroon, Ghana, and Uganda, including hosts Nigeria, on Saturday.

“We also had representatives from the Export Promotion Council, the Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM), and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA)."

"We were able to explore, showcase, and share our various business perspectives as well as the opportunities that abound in our countries. "We discovered that as Africans, if we can promote trade amongst ourselves, we will become a very strong continent and will compete favourably with the rest of the world."

"We are using the game of golf to encourage and achieve all these as well as drive this message both home and abroad,” he said.

Mr. Ibrahim Babayo, Vice-Captain of the club, said the event had gone beyond the golf tournament itself, adding that it was also about celebrating Nigeria, her unity, and her successes.

Babayo said that in spite of all the challenges in Nigeria, there were also some achievements made by the country that were worth celebrating. He said that golf was becoming a big foreign policy tool for countries, saying that it was also not only for the elite. Babayo, who is also the chairman of the organising committee of the tournament, said that the club was also trying to partner with the FCT and Nigeria as a whole to make the country a golfing destination.

“We have a world-class golf course here that can compete with other courses anywhere in the world." If you come to the IBB Course and look at our fairways and greens, "I mean, anywhere in the world, we can raise our heads high and say, "Yes, we are there." We are trying to make the international community aware that such facilities exist in Nigeria.

“So, they can always come to enjoy a round of golf and continue to do their businesses peacefully in Nigeria,” he said. Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), said promoting the game of golf was another way of encouraging tourism in the country.

“Local content development is not just about the oil and gas sector. It is in tourism, manufacturing, and everything we do." From my own perspective, promoting golfing in the country is another way of encouraging tourism. A lot of golfers leave Nigeria to go and play golf outside the shores of the country.

“But what we are trying to do here is tell people that we have golf courses, and rather than spend the dollars outside this country, such money should be spent here. “Play on Nigerian courses, believe in Nigeria, work for Nigeria, and expect greatness from Nigeria,” he said.

Lothin Elessa, the President of the Cameroon Golf Federation, said Nigeria and Cameroon were very close brothers who shared a long history of friendship together. Elessa said that through the game of golf, they have been able to foster a strong bond with not only Nigeria but other African countries.

“First and foremost, I want to wish Nigeria a very happy Independence Day celebration." We came here to play golf, but it is not just about the game. "Golf is an instrument for diplomacy, trade, investment, and so on."

It is also a huge opportunity for our delegation to foster relationships with not just our brothers in Nigeria but also Ghana, Cameroon, and Uganda. “Having over four countries come together for a tournament like this is very important and will further strengthen the bond within our continent,” he said.

Other guests present during the ceremonial tee-off were Sen. John Owan-Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, and the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, KIM Young Chae, amongst others.

2023 Independence Golf: Sport as a tool for unity, investment

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