Daily Trust

Nigeria Golf Federation plans new era

- David Ngobua

The President of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Honorable Nacifi Jubril Muhammed has declared that the NGF under his watch is set to chart new course where gains of the game shall be brought to doorsteps of golfers, especially the youths

Nacifi in an exclusive interview with Golf Digest mentioned that he was particular­ly pained that no Nigerian showed up in the golf event at the last Olympics staged in Rio, Brazil.

It was the first time golf would be making a comeback to the Games after some 116 years lay-off.

“I have heard it from several quarters that the NGF is not doing enough to uphold the dignity of the game in Nigeria.

“This is sad and painful because this Federation is doing everything to find its feet and come up with ideas that could blow the game to all highs, even if we cannot attain the height football is attaining among numerous Nigerians.

“There are problems, no doubt. Major among this has to do with the wrong belief that everything must start and end with football. We have activities lined up but anytime we ask for fund, all you get is cold shoulders.

“The authoritie­s believe those who play golf are well to do and so should be able to pay for golf activities. But I ask are those rich multitudes that follow football pay for it? You can imagine the amount that is being pumped into football and yet we hardly see results.

“But those who throw huge resources into football at the expense of other sports, especially golf, should know that golf attracts about same medals as in swimming at the Olympics. Football with all the noise is just one gold medal’.

Nacifi therefore believes that he and members of the golf federation can overlook all thorns thrown in the path of golf and work out a miracle that could make golf the envy of all.

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