No fewer than 100 Golfers across the country graced the just-concluded Captain and Lady Captain's Inaugural Golf Tournament, held at the weekend, in Calabar.
The tournament was hosted by the Calabar Golf Club as part of activities to herald its new leadership.
Teeing off the competition, Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said he appreciated the huge effect of sports, especially golf on national cohesion, security and peaceful coexistence.
The CDS, who was represented by Major General AA Aribiyi, said sports is one of the non kinetic line of operation for the military; and military authorities will continue to win the hearts of the people through sports.
In his opening remarks, the Captain of the Calabar Golf Club, Maj. Gen. Ahmed Sabo (Rtd.), said the idea of the tournament is to pull resources together for the growth and development of golf, otherwise known as "the gentleman's game," in Cross River State.
The Captain revealed that all Golf Clubs across Nigeria were represented in the tournament to compete for prizes in different categories with three winners for each category.
On the growing popularity of golf in the State, the Club Captain discredited the notion that the game of golf is an elitist sport and charged youths to embrace it, as they too could become the next Tiger Woods of the golfing world.
"Golf is not an elitist game, it's a game of choice, interest, integrity, physicality. We are also poised to gather the young ones together, ensure they take over.
"We have cadis that play different categories and the overall idea to to ensure that we support the game of golf in the State", he said.
Also speaking, the Club's Lady Captain, Lady Anne Ene Ita said the game of golf is critical to the health and wellness of the whole body.
"Golf has a lot of advantages for both men and women of all ages. It is a game that exercises the whole body and even if you do eight holes, you have done a lot for your body.
"It is a serious sport and we should also use it to promote tourism because the State is a tourist State.
"This game is for every gender and I will be very happy if more women come up to be part of the game," she said.
On his part, former Deputy Governor of Cross River State and a trustee of the Calabar Golf Club, Efiok Cobham said the tournament is usually a golfing tradition held after the emergence of new Captain and Lady Captain.
He said he is happy the new leadership of the Calabar Golf Club has been able to pull this through.
He posited that golf, like other sports, is a major unifying factor and encouraged parents to let their children go into golfing because of the advantages in the game.
At the end of the well attended tournament, Sam Kalio, Jean Mark and Charles Asogwa emerged first, second and third respectively in category one and two.
For category three, Chika Enek, Onabolu Ayodele and Ikem Oraedu emerged first, second and third respectively.
For category four, Shehu Yusuf, Steve Asuquo and D, Nwankwagu emerged first, second and third respectively.
In the Lady's Category, Gladness Dan, Imelda Aba and Helen Ayo emerged first, second and third respectively.
While in the veterans category, Paul Ebiala, Myke Motoni and Habila Vintenaba emerged first, second and third respectively, at the two-day event tourney which was held on 1st and 2nd December, 2023.
By Ebi Collins, The Beagle News
