No fewer than 300 amateur and veteran golfers will be competing for various prizes at the Chief of Defence (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa National Peace and Unity Golf Tournament scheduled to hold from Friday, November 15 to Saturday, November 16, 2024 at the Kaduna Golf Club in Kaduna.
Addressing journalists at the Kaduna Golf Club yesterday in preparatory to the tournament, the club captain, Mr Ken Nwankwo, said the tournament which is being organised by the Kaduna Golf Club in honour of General Musa is basically to promote a non-kinetic approach in support of the government efforts towards restoring peace and unity in northern Nigeria as well as addressing security challenges and fostering a culture of peace throughout the country.
Captain Nwankwo disclosed that participants are expected from about thirty golf clubs across the country will have a swell time and enjoy golf at its best on the 18-hole Green Golf Course of the Kaduna Golf Club.
He said the tournament would officially commence on Friday, November 15, with handicap 19-28 men amateur golfers having their turn, while the ceremonial tee off holds on Saturday, November 16, with General Musa expected to perform the official tee-off.
According to him, handicap 0-18 men and women, as well as veteran men and women, will take to the golf course on Saturday to compete for laurels in various categories.
“The tournament aimed to promote a non-kinetic method for restoring peace and unity in northern Nigeria and the country as whole in support of government efforts in addressing security challenges and fostering a culture of peace throughout the country.
“We are expecting over 300 amateur golfers from the country and handicap 19 to 28 will be playing on Friday, November 15. On Saturday, which is the ceremonial tee off, handicap 0-18 men and ladies will have their turn to compete.
“Let use the tournament to send the message of peace because according to the words of Generate Christopher Musa, ‘peace and unity are the only things that will bring progress to Nigeria now in our present situation. We are using the tournament to preach peace and unity to everybody,” Nwankwo said.
Also speaking on the tournament after a minute’s silence in honour of late COAS Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, representative of the CDS General Musa, General Bala Isandu (retired) said the CDS has brought new concepts which are all encompassing.
“He has held several sports tournaments with the aim of encouraging peaceful coexistence among people and to also promote military civil relationships.”
He described the media as key to ensuring peace in the country and intelligent sources of information which he said is basically gotten from the media space.
Adding his voice on the tournament, the Board of Trustee Secretary of the Kaduna Gold club Abayomi Oyelola reiterated that KGC and it’s course is one of the best in the country. “The management is doing well and needs to be encouraged” while commending the CDS for recognizing Kaduna golf club and deeming it fit to host this tournament in Kaduna, his home state.
Meanwhile KGC is expected to on the 30th November, 2024 host the first Bank golf tournament while the BOT golf open is scheduled for 7th December, 2024 and January 9th 2025 is for the Ladies open tournament.
