The National Sports Commission (NSC) has praised Olusegun Runsewe, President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), for his tireless efforts in developing golf at the grassroots level in Nigeria. This recognition came during the unveiling of golf equipment donated by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Scotland, to the NGF. Shola Fayoyiwa, representing NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko, highlighted Runsewe’s initiatives as crucial for revitalizing golf and making Nigeria competitive internationally.
The NSC commended the NGF’s strategies for identifying talent at the grassroots level, emphasizing the importance of proper equipment for nurturing young golfers. The donation from the R&A was seen as a significant boost to these efforts, with hopes that other federations would follow suit by collaborating with international bodies to enhance sports development in Nigeria.
Runsewe reiterated his commitment to making golf a leading sport in Nigeria, revealing plans to sponsor young talents for training abroad. He aims to build a thriving golf economy, tapping into the projected $4 billion expected to circulate in African golf by 2025. Runsewe expressed gratitude to both the R&A and the NSC for their support, assuring that the donated equipment would be effectively used to develop the sport at the grassroots level.
Runsewe’s vision, combined with strong backing from the NSC and international partners, signals a promising future for golf in Nigeria. He hopes that within the next two years, Nigerian golfers will make their mark on the international stage, similar to their counterparts in football.
