The President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has expressed his admiration for the Akwa Ibom Government's initiative to provide free golf training for youths across the state. This move is part of the government's efforts to develop sports in the state, with a focus on identifying and nurturing young talents. Runsewe believes that this initiative is a strategic investment in the future of golf in Nigeria.
Runsewe also praised Governor Umo Eno for his commitment to sports development in the state. The governor's initiative aims to train young golfers from the 31 Local Government Areas ahead of the 2027 Sports Festival. This move aligns with the NGF's priority of developing young golfers and creating a sustainable pathway for discovering future champions. The NGF is ready to partner with the Akwa Ibom Government to strengthen grassroots golf development.
The initiative will see five young golfers selected from each of the state's 31 Local Government Areas for free training. The leadership and management of the Uyo Golf Club have agreed to take responsibility for grooming the young talents. Runsewe commended the Uyo Golf Club for accepting this responsibility and urged other golf clubs and stakeholders across Nigeria to emulate the Akwa Ibom model by supporting structured youth development programmes.
According to Runsewe, the involvement of the 31 Local Government Areas will broaden the talent pool and give children from different communities access to structured golf development. This approach will help discover talents who may never have had the opportunity to encounter the game or receive professional coaching. The NGF is willing to support this initiative and work closely with the Akwa Ibom Government to develop these young golfers.
Runsewe believes that deliberate investment in junior golf will ensure continuity, strengthen competition, and provide a new generation capable of representing Nigeria internationally. The NGF will explore areas of technical support, coaching, competitions, and capacity building to ensure the programme produces meaningful results. This initiative will help bridge the longstanding gap between younger and older generations of golfers.
Governor Eno announced the initiative at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival. The governor noted that the Sports Festival had demonstrated the growth of the state's sporting foundation, with competitive disciplines increasing from 18 to 27. About 4,000 young athletes participated in the 2026 edition, and medal winners and participating Local Government Areas will receive recognition and rewards.
The NGF president encouraged the selected golfers to approach the training with discipline, commitment, and a willingness to learn from experienced coaches. He also believes that golf can contribute significantly to tourism, youth empowerment, and sports development when properly integrated into grassroots programmes. The Akwa Ibom Golf initiative is a step in the right direction for Nigeria's golf development.
Key points
- The Akwa Ibom Government's free golf training initiative for youths aims to develop sports in the state.
- The Nigeria Golf Federation is ready to partner with the Akwa Ibom Government to strengthen grassroots golf development.
- The initiative will help bridge the gap between younger and older generations of golfers in Nigeria.
