The National Sports Commission (NSC) has commended Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), for his exceptional efforts in advancing grassroots golf development across the country. The recognition came on Thursday during the unveiling of golf equipment donated to the NGF by the prestigious Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Scotland, at a ceremony in Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, Deputy Director Shola Fayoyiwa praised Runsewe’s leadership, describing his work as pivotal in repositioning golf in Nigeria. Fayoyiwa highlighted the Federation’s initiatives to expand grassroots participation and identify young talents as critical to building a strong foundation for the sport. “Before we can have any athlete representing Nigeria on the international golf stage, we must first identify and develop them. That starts from the grassroots. What the NGF is doing, particularly under Runsewe’s leadership, is commendable,” he stated.
The donation from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club was also celebrated as a significant boost to grassroots efforts. Fayoyiwa encouraged other sports federations to emulate the NGF by fostering partnerships with international organizations to enhance local programs and infrastructure.
In response, Otunba Runsewe reaffirmed his commitment to transforming golf into a top-tier sport in Nigeria. He revealed plans to sponsor promising young golfers for international training programs aimed at sharpening their skills and exposing them to global best practices. Runsewe also expressed gratitude to both the Royal and Ancient Golf Club for their support and the NSC for recognizing the NGF’s achievements.
Runsewe outlined his vision of positioning golf as an economic driver in Nigeria, citing projections that Africa’s golf economy could surpass $4 billion by 2025. He emphasized the importance of nurturing a new generation of golfers who can compete internationally while attracting global investment to the sport. “As it stands today, no Nigerian golfer is participating in the Masters Open in Augusta. But mark this day — from the seeds we are planting now, in the next two years, names like Okafor, Chidinma, Abubakar, and Olademeji will emerge on the international golf scene,” he declared confidently.
With this renewed focus on grassroots development, the NGF aims not only to elevate golf as a sport but also to empower youth and stimulate economic growth. The Federation’s efforts signal a bright future for Nigerian golf, one that could see the country firmly established on the global golfing map.
