• Lalong promises to lift Nigeria Ladies Open Championship
The Ladies Golfers Association of Nigeria, (LGAN) Western Zone regional tournament has attracted some big corporate players with Golfview Hotel and Suites, Yoke Solutions, Ufit Fly, Soft Alliance, AMNI, Worldilly’s Event planner, Xpress Payment Solutions, Ubosi Eleh&Co, AMNI and Megamound the latest orgainsations to pitch their support for the competition.
According to LGAN Vice President, Mary Okunola, all necessary arrangements at ensuring that the event goes as planned has been put in place for the competition billed to tee off at the Ibadan Golf Club today.
The LGAN Western zone competition, which is already generating a lot of excitement within the ladies golfing community, will see invited guests like Nigeria Golf Federation President, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde in attendance.
The tournament will also be used to honour the late Lady Captain of Ibadan Golf Club, Sade Oni, who passed on on Monday.
Also speaking, Yeye Desire Osunsina, Executive Director of Megamound, one of the event’s sponsor, said the outfit’s decision to back the tournament was based on the health benefit inherent in the sport, saying apart from golf, Megamound is generally interested in sporting activities and sponsorship.
She described golf as intelligent sport and recommends it to every woman, especially those whose husbands play golf.
“We believe golf is a healthy sport that offers a relaxing way to exercise. So we want to encourage every woman to go into the sport, especially those whose husband already play the sport,” Osunsina explained.
The 2019 LGAN Western Regional tournament will tees off today and end on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has assured organisers of the 2019 Nigeria Ladies Open Golf Championship of his total support to make the event a huge success, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The governor gave the assurance in Abuja when the leadership of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) led the championship’s Organising Committee on a courtesy call on him.
“It is always my pleasure to contribute to golf development in Nigeria and also participate in the sport. So, I will always be there for you.
“I assure you that I will do a lot in this regard, even if it involves playing when I am available. I will be there for you,’’ he said.
The championship will hold at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja from November 12 to 15.
Lalong, who is also a golfer, said because the golf sport means a lot to many people, either economically, politically or physically, it needs a lot of support from many quarters.
“Golf means a lot to many people. You can do a lot in business, based on the contacts you build through it. It also helps you to meet a lot of people.
“Moreover, it helps to mould your character as an individual, as it affects your mind positively. It helps to build you as a person. And this is what we need to know.
“In taking a decision on being involved in the sport, either as a player or as a sponsor, we need to be aware of the sport’s contributions to us as persons or as a nation,’’ he said.
The governor said this was why he would be supporting the championship with all he has, because he knows that golf makes enormous contributions to the Nigerian nation.
He urged corporate bodies, governments and individuals to rally round LGAN in order to have a smooth and successful championship.
“When we all come round to support the championship, the sport will grow and individuals will improve, and Nigeria will reap a lot of benefits,’’ Lalong said.
Speaking earlier, the LGAN President, Ekanem Ekwueme had told the governor that players from at least 10 countries were being expected at the championship.
“We want your usual support once again, and we won’t even mind you playing as one of the guests to challenge some of our best players.
“We are sure we can always count on you, because we know your commitment to the sport and the fact that you can always be relied upon,’’ Ekwueme said.
Speaking earlier, Julie Okah-Donli, Chairperson of the championship’s Organising Committee, said the visit on Lalong was in view of his position as a major stakeholder in the sport.
“You are one of our serious members, and we know that you are always there not only for the club in Abuja but the sport in Nigeria as a whole.
“This is one of the reasons why you have been picked as one of those to tee off the championship,’’ she said.
