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Gov. Lalong assures Support for Nigeria Ladies Open Golf Championship

Published

6 years ago

October 23, 2019

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state has assured organisers of the 2019 Nigeria Ladies Open Golf Championship of his total support to make the event a huge success.

The governor gave the assurance in Abuja when the leadership of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) led the championship’s Organising Committee on a courtesy call on him at

Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro.

“It is always my pleasure to contribute to golf development in Nigeria and also participate in the sport as a golfer. So, I will always be there for you.

“I assure you that I will do a lot in this regard, even if it involves playing when I am available as one of the guest. I will be there for you,’’ he said.

Lalong said because the golf sport means a lot to many people, either economically, politically or physically, it needs a lot of support from many quarters.

“Golf means a lot to many people. You can do a lot in business, based on the contacts you build through it. It also helps you to meet a lot of people.

“Moreover, it helps to mould your character as an individual, as it affects your mind positively. It helps to build you as a person. And this is what we need to know.

“In taking a decision on being involved in the sport, either as a player or as a sponsor, we need to be aware of the sport’s contributions to us as persons or as a nation,’’ he said.

The governor said this was why he would be supporting the championship with all he has, because he knows that golf makes enormous contributions to the Nigerian nation.

In a released signed by the Director, Media and Publicity for the Open, Kayode Adeniyi, Lalong urged corporate bodies, governments and individuals to rally round LGAN in order to have a smooth and successful championship.

“When we all come round to support the championship, the sport will grow and individuals will improve, and Nigeria will reap a lot of benefits,’’ Lalong said.

Speaking earlier, the LGAN President, Ekanem Ekwueme had told the governor that players from at least 10 countries were being expected at the championship scheduled for Nov. 12 to Nov. 15.

“We are sure we can always count on you, because we know your commitment to the sport and the fact that you can always be relied upon,’’ Ekwueme said.

Chairperson, Organising Committee for the Championship, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, said the visit on Lalong was in view of his position as a major stakeholder in the sport.

“You are one of our serious members, and we know that you are always there not only for the club in Abuja but the sport in Nigeria as a whole.

“This is one of the reasons why you have been picked as one of those to tee off thep championship,’’ she said.

Okah-Donli assured the Governor that no stone will be left unturned in the committee’s quest to organise a memorable championship

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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