More than 100 golfers have converged on Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state in southern Nigeria, to take part in the 15th edition of the Golf and Tour Charity Tournament. The two‑day event, which began on a Friday, combines a competitive golf tournament with community outreach activities in the host communities surrounding the Ibom Golf Course in Uruan local government area.
Speaking at a press conference in Uyo, Major General Ahmed Mohammed Sabo, chairman of the organising committee, said the charity tournament was conceived to address the hardships faced by Nigerians in recent times. “The golfers decided to come together for the sake of humanity, not only by playing golf but also by touching lives in the host communities where the game is played,” he said.
The charity tour traces its roots to 2020, when a group of golfers in Calabar formed an association to promote humanity, social interaction and the sport. Their first tournament was held in Calabar in 2021, followed by events in Abuja. Since then, the association has staged tours outside Nigeria, playing in Côte d’Ivoire (Yamasuku and Abidjan) and Uganda (Kampala, Entebbe and the Sperina Resort).
As part of the outreach, participants visited Nwananiba village on the outskirts of Uyo and presented tokens, food items, cash assistance and support for local renovations. “Anywhere we go we make presentations, food items, we support with cash, we support with renovation, and so on,” Sabo explained.
The tournament itself will feature a shotgun format on the first day, with a second‑day competition that includes guest players from other clubs. Winners will be honoured with trophies and prizes at the conclusion of the two‑day event.
“We must thank the handlers of Ibom Golf Resorts for maintaining these edifices. The management of the Golf Course and the state government know that golf is an edificed game which attracts tourists and promotes tourism,” Sabo said, adding praise for former governor Victor Attah’s architectural masterplan that incorporated the Ibom Golf Resort.
Sabo urged the Akwa Ibom government to give greater attention to tourism development and the upkeep of the golf facilities, noting that the Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort was still undergoing renovations. The tournament highlights both the growing interest in golf as a sport and its potential to drive tourism and community development in Nigeria.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>