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150 Golfers, 7 Countries Set For 2019 Nigeria Ladies Open Golf in Abuja

Published

6 years ago

November 12, 2019

Joel Ajayi

No Fewer than one hundred and fifty Ladies Golfers will compete at the 2019 Nigeria Ladies Open Golf Championship slated for Wednesday tommorow at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja as the trophy won last year by Ugandan Evah Magala up for grabs.

Lady Golfers from Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Botswana and Zambia are expected at the tournament.

The three-day championship which is being organised by the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) is attracting amateur lady golfers from seven countries, as well as over 100 amateur male golfers.

In a statement signed by the Director, Media and Publicity for the Open, Kayode Adeniyi, revealed that many of the expected players have been training hard for the championship at the venue.

According to him, the Defending champion Magala who arrived in Abuja since Tuesday last week has not been leaving any stone unturned in her quest to retain the trophy.

“This is an indication that the tournament this year will be tougher than that of last year.”

Adeniyi went on to quote Magala as assuring that she was well prepared for the competition.

“l came early to get acquainted with the Abuja heat and the course. That is how prepared I want to be. I am here to retain the trophy “

“We have handicap 2 and handicap 4 players coming from my country, and there is a Tanzanian who defended one of the trophies here. I also know the capabilities of Nigeria’s Rachael Danjuma.

“So, it is not a joking matter. But I am up to the task,” Magala boasted.

Speaking on the championship, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, the Chairperson of the championship’s Organising Committee, said all hands have been on deck in view of the importance of the championship.

“We are making efforts to see to it that there will be no shortcomings in providing the ladies the tools to compete favourably.

“We know how important the event is. If you play this event and you play very well, you get ranked worldwide as an amateur lady golfer.

“This is why you will see so many internationals coming to try and see how this event can help them to get the points needed for seeding,” she said.

Wednesday’s event will be ceremoniously teed off by Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, Senator David Mark and a host of invited guests.

The championship’s Awards Night, Dinner and Prize Presentation will hold on Friday to round up the championship.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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