Jonathan: Decline in Nigerian sports embarrassing

Category: Sports Published on Saturday, 17 December 2011 06:00 Written by Orkula Shaagee Hits: 2228

Speaking while teeing off the 2011 President Golf Cup at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, President Jonathan who was represented at the occasion by President of the Senate, David Mark however assured that government will continue to support and encourage sports activities to blossom in the country.

He described as unfortunate a situation where Nigeria is no longer a force to reckon with at the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, stressing that efforts will be made to return the country to the glorious past.

“In the past we used to be active in the Commonwealth Games and Olympics but right now we have gone down and it is really embarrassing to us, so I think the remarkable thing is that this is the beginning to encourage sporting and bring us back to the glorious stage where we were before.

“President Goodluck Jonathan has given attention to the development of sports, particularly golf. This golf club has not gotten a certificate for years, but when he came here in October, he ordered that the certificate be issued to the club, and I am sure Deshi the Club Captain has collected the certificate.

“Mr. President is desirous of encouraging sporting activities because an important tool for image laundering in the comity of nations all over the world, and he is desirous of encouraging all sporting activities especially golf that is becoming very popular.

“It is heartwarming to note that Globacom has accepted to sponsor this competition for a long time, and I implore others to take a queue from there”, he stated.

Earlier, President of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola 240 golfers made up of amateur and professionals took part in the annual golf fiesta, sponsored by Globacom.

“We have to limit the number of participants in view of the fact that there is a maxim um number of players that can be engaged in a course of this nature; and that is why we have to categorize those taking part in the competition.

“The professionals are all taking part, but the amateurs it is limited to the holders of handicap 1-14, and that is to say category one and two. Besides these set of amateurs, we have guest players who have been supporting us over the years. In all, we are looking at 240 golfers taking part in this year’s edition”, he said.