Former Plateau State Governor and Vice Chairman of the Golfers Federation of Nigeria, Simon Lalong, has urged governments and private investors to increase investment in golf to boost Nigeria's tourism and hospitality sectors. He made the call while speaking with journalists at the Lafia Golf Course in Nasarawa State. Lalong emphasized the importance of golf in supporting the hospitality industry and promoting tourism. He commended the development recorded in Nasarawa since its creation from Plateau State.
Nasarawa State, created from Plateau State on October 1, 1996, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. Lalong sponsored a golf kitty as part of the celebrations to strengthen relations between Nasarawa and Plateau states. The event provided an opportunity for Lalong to assess the Lafia Golf Course, which he believes has the potential to host a championship 18-hole course. He noted that the course has the land, attractive topography, and favorable weather required for a world-class golf course.
Lalong highlighted the benefits of golf in promoting tourism, stating that a good golf course attracts people who come to relax and play, leading to inquiries about business opportunities. He appealed to Governor Abdullahi Sule to provide equipment for the maintenance of the fairways and greens, citing the absence of a tractor and mowers as a major challenge for the club. Lalong suggested that the same tractors used in farming and mining can be deployed to shape fairways and greens.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Jibrin Ibrahim, assured that the state government is committed to grassroots sports development, with a focus on golf. The government aims to make Nasarawa a hub for sports and youth empowerment. Ibrahim emphasized that the government believes in grassroots sports development and will continue working towards creating opportunities for young people across the state.
The Captain of the Lafia Golf Club, Tony Effa, and the Director of Media and Publicity of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Thaddeus Yilmen, also stressed the importance of investment in golf. They described golf as one of the world's most prestigious sports and called on the government and private sector to invest in its development. They advocated for partnerships to improve golf facilities and participation.
The Lafia Golf Course has been identified as a potential championship course, with Lalong noting that it is easy to build a complete 18-hole, par-72 course on the available land. The course's grasses, similar to those in Port Harcourt, are also suitable for a world-class golf course. However, the club faces challenges, including the need for equipment to maintain the fairways and greens.
The event concluded with the presentation of gifts to winners of the Nasarawa at 30 golf kitty, and Lalong received an award from Governor Abdullahi Sule in recognition of his contributions to golf development in Nasarawa and other states. The award acknowledges Lalong's efforts to promote golf and his commitment to strengthening ties between Nasarawa and Plateau states.
Key points
- Lalong urges increased investment in golf to boost Nigeria's tourism and hospitality sectors.
- Nasarawa State has the potential to become a hub for sports and youth empowerment, with a focus on golf development.
- The Lafia Golf Course has the potential to host a championship 18-hole course, but requires equipment and investment to realize its full potential.
