…Promises Government’s Support
By Eche Amos
Followirng their exhilarating performance at the recently concluded Ladies Golf Open Qualifiers/Tournament at Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim Golf Club in Jaji, Kaduna State, held between July 13th-16th, 2023, the Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, has hosted the State’s golfers who participated at the event.
At a brief but breathtaking ceremony held in his office in Lafia, the Permanent Secretary congratulated the lady golfers for making the State proud and winning laurels.
“May I thank you for coming to felicitate with me on my appointment as Permanent Secretary.
“Importantly, I wish to congratulate you, particularly, the ladies who have been making us proud.
“As everyone knows, success has many parents, but failure is an orphan. Basically, we are your parents because you are winning.
“I am aware of the Jaji tournament even though I didn’t know that so many of you went for that event, and still didn’t know that you went on self-sponsorship because I am just new here.
“From what I have seen, to be honest, I think you all deserve the support to ensure you do better, going forward.
“Golf is an elitist sport and this administration places high premium on the game of Golf which was why when I first assumed office, my first visit was to the Lafia Golf Course, which is one of the largest in Northern Nigeria, to take inventory of the facility and report back to the Government who will now think of how to transform it to a lucrative environment, either alone or with the support of development partners.”
While pledging Government’s continuous support to the development of Golf and other sports, the Permanent Secretary opined that he and the Ministry would leave nothing to chance to ensure all the non-contracted golfers who are making the State proud at various championships are absorbed into the payroll of the State to serve as morale booster.
He promised to participate in subsequent activities of the Lafia Golf Club whenever opportunity presents itself.
Speaking earlier, the Lady Captain, Lafia Golf Club, Mrs. Marilynda Ogbole, appreciated the Permanent Secretary for the audience granted to them, detailing that the Ladies’ Session of the Lafia Golf Club is overwhelmed with series of challenges, hence, making it difficult for them to participate in vital tournaments in the country, especially owing to lack of funds and inadequate facilities, even though the golfers have always displayed exceptional performance at events they have participated in.
She solicited the assistance of the Permanent Secretary and Government to engage the golfers and as well enable them to participate in subsequent tournaments, especially the fast-approaching Sapele Athletic Golf Club tournament slated for September.
Secretary, Nasarawa State Golf Association, Miss Felicia Obile Allu, had told Danladi that they were in his office to felicitate with him on his appointment as Permanent Secretary and present the lady golfers who took part in the Jaji Qualifiers/Tournament and won medals to him.
Among the female golfers who participated at the Qualifiers were Comfort Adakole who came second overall best Gross in the Female Category One, Jennifer Atabwer who also came fourth overall best Net in the Female Category Two, Dorcas Malle, Ruth Maren who came third overall best Gross in the Female Category One, and Adah Moses.
