‘Nigeria Can Produce World-Class Golfers If Properly Funded’

The Head Professional of MicCom Golf Club, Liadi Jayeola, has called on governments at all levels to invest more in golf development to help Nigeria produce world-class players capable of competing globally.

Jayeola made the appeal while addressing journalists at the MicCom Golf Centre in Ada, Osun State, during activities marking the 80th birthday celebration of the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Khamis Olatunde Badmus.

According to him, Nigeria possesses enormous golfing talents that can flourish with proper support, exposure, and infrastructure.

He stressed that golf should no longer be seen as an exclusive sport for the elite, insisting that young Nigerians from diverse backgrounds can benefit immensely from playing the game.

Jayeola explained that golf can also serve as an important tool for youth engagement and social development by keeping young people away from crime and other social vices.

“If the government supports golf, we can also produce the likes of Tiger Woods,” he said.

“We have talents in this game, and government intervention is very important.”

Speaking on the birthday celebration tournament organised in honour of Badmus, Jayeola disclosed that no fewer than 65 golfers from across the South-West converged on the MicCom Golf Club to celebrate the respected Islamic leader.

According to him, participants came from golf clubs in Ilorin, Ogbomoso, Ilesa, Ile-Ogbo, Ekiti, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and other parts of the region.

“We have veteran golfers from across the South-West and each club was represented by five golfers apart from the host club,” he explained.

Jayeola also revealed the prize structure for the competition, stating that the winner would receive N2 million, while the runner-up and third-place finisher would earn N1 million and N500,000, respectively.

He commended Badmus for his contributions to sports and community development, describing the event as an opportunity for golfers across the region to celebrate one of their prominent supporters.