NGF Unveils Oba Elegushi Open To Strengthen Golf Development At Grassroots

The Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) has announced plans for the inaugural Oba Saheed Elegushi Open Golf Championship, a tournament it says will provide another competitive platform for golfers and support the development of the sport at grassroots level.

NGF President Otunba Olusegun Runsewe announced the championship at the second Nigeria Golf Federation Stakeholders and Golfers Summit in Abuja.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament, named after Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, is expected to add a new event to Nigeria’s golfing calendar while creating opportunities for players, particularly emerging golfers, to gain competitive experience.

The announcement came as the federation used the summit to examine some of the challenges limiting the growth of golf in Nigeria, including access to facilities, youth development, governance and the need for stronger domestic competition.

The summit, themed “Finding the Fairway: Sustainable Growth and Youth Development,” brought together golfers and stakeholders to discuss ways of strengthening the sport from the grassroots and improving Nigeria’s competitiveness internationally.

Speaking at the event, Elegushi called for greater investment in golf infrastructure within Nigeria, arguing that the country had the talent, population and private-sector capacity to develop facilities capable of meeting international standards.

He also urged stakeholders to work together to expand access to the sport and create a stronger domestic golfing ecosystem.

“If we come together, we can develop our own facilities to international standards,” Elegushi said.

He noted that sustained investment in golf could have wider benefits beyond sport, including sports tourism, employment and economic activity.

Runsewe said the new championship would complement the federation’s efforts to expand competitive opportunities for Nigerian golfers.

He also called for greater cooperation among golf clubs, players, government and the private sector, particularly in supporting programmes that can help young players progress through the sport.

The summit ended with resolutions focused on grassroots and youth development, improved golf administration, infrastructure and Nigeria’s participation in international competitions.