The Kwara State Government has almost concluded plans to establish Golf and Table Tennis
Academies to train youth to become top players and champions in national and international
competitions.
The State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, disclosed this on Tuesday in Ilorin while
speaking with the newsmen shortly after he performed the ceremonial tee off at the Kwara at
50 Open Golf Championship, holding at Ilorin Golf Course.
Governor Ahmed said the idea of establishing the two Academies in the state is still on
course and promised that the idea would be taken to fruition level to support Kwara Football
Academy.
He noted that the government is poised to making the Ilorin Golf Course a centre of
attraction and destination for Golfers across the country.
The Governor maintained that the Course would continue to stand top among the comity of
courses in Nigeria and West Africa sub-region.
Governor Ahmed encouraged Nigerians to develop interest in the game of Golf, saying that
Golf is not an elitist game as being insinuated in some quarters.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Bolakale Ayo
said the government would not relent in encouraging sports development in the state,
particularly at grassroot level.
Earlier in his remarks, the Captain of Ilorin Golf Course, Layi Maliki had disclosed that
the Championship and the Ibadan Open Championship would serve as qualifiers for an
international championship billed for Equatorial Guinea.
Maliki posited that the competition is to be managed by Sluqfort Nigeria Ltd, Nigeria’s
premier promoters,organisers and consultants on golf tournaments.
Maliki disclosed that the competition is sponsored by Bua Nigeria Ltd, a business outfit
involved in farm produce such as Rice and Sugar Cane plantation in Lafiagi, Kwara.
Kunle Oyinloye, MD, Bank of Infrastructure, Sterling Bank Plc, Lanre Shittu Motors, Yolas
Consultants, Chelfom Ltd, Pyramid Ltd, Harmony Holdings, Kwara Internal Revenue Service ICMA
Professional Services and Duravil Engineering Ltd are some of the Co- sponsors of the event.
