Abuja: The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) has announced plans to organise the maiden edition of the Oba Saheed Elegushi Open Golf Championship. Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, President of the NGF, announced this at the second edition of the Nigeria Golf Federation Stakeholders and Golfers Summit in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the summit, which began on Tuesday, concluded on Friday, with participation from more than 46 golf clubs and other stakeholders. Runsewe stated that the tournament would honor Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi and serve as a significant platform for the development and promotion of golf in Nigeria. The championship is part of the federation’s renewed efforts to strengthen competitive golf and create more opportunities for Nigerian golfers.
The NGF president emphasized the need for greater collaboration among golfers, clubs, sponsors, government, and the private sector to enhance the sport. Oba Elegushi, who was the Royal Father of the Day at the summit, expressed his delight at the
honor and commended the NGF for its initiative. He urged golfers across the country to remain unified and uphold the ethics and values of the sport.
Elegushi highlighted Nigeria’s potential, with its population, talent, and private-sector capacity, to develop world-class golf facilities. He encouraged Nigerians to invest in domestic golf infrastructure instead of spending significant sums traveling abroad to play golf. “We have Nigerians who believe in golf and have the capacity to invest. If we come together, we can develop our own facilities to international standards,” Elegushi said.
He acknowledged that investment in golf infrastructure would require patience but would ultimately contribute to sports tourism, employment, and economic development. Elegushi expressed gratitude to the NGF for naming the maiden Open Championship after him and pledged his support for its success. “I will do everything within my capacity to make the tournament a success and ensure it becomes one of a kind in Nigeria,” he adde
d.
Runsewe explained that the championship would provide an avenue for golfers to compete at a high level and contribute to the sport’s growth. He called on corporate organizations and other potential sponsors to support the tournament and other initiatives aimed at elevating Nigerian golf. The NGF president reiterated the federation’s commitment to creating sustainable platforms for golfers, particularly young talents, to develop and compete.
The summit, themed ‘Finding the Fairway: Sustainable Growth and Youth Development,’ focused on grassroots development, youth empowerment, governance, infrastructure, and international competitiveness. The event also adopted resolutions aimed at strengthening golf administration, developing young talents, and enhancing Nigeria’s participation in international competitions.