Mark, Kingibe, Gen Haruna headline Glo Golf Tour in Abuja

Senate President David Mark (third right), Globacom’s Divisional Director for North West, Kemi Kaka (second right) with other golf players, Ade Young (first left), Dr Peter Deshi (second left), Chika Chiejina (third left)and Chief Uche Okpuno just before the tee-off of the Amateur category of the Glo Golf Tour in Abuja on Wednesday.

Senate President David Mark on Wednesday led other prominent Nigerians at the tee-off for amateurs at the 3rd leg of the Glo Golf Tour taking place at the IBB Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

Senator Mark performed the ceremonial tee-off as other golfers including former Foreign Affairs Minister, Babagana Kingibe, Retired General IBM Haruna and former Minister of Special Duties Yomi Edu took to the course to compete for honours in the amateur category of the competition which entered its second day on Wednesday.

Other prominent Nigerians who played on Wednesday included former Secretary to the Federal Government, Yayale Ahmed, former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Parry Osayande, Senator Ayo Arise, Chief Joe Gadzama (SAN), former Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,  Austin Oniwon and Chief Olusola Adekanla.

Speaking before the tee-off, Mark commended Glo’s sponsorship of the tournament. He noted that Glo’s involvement has created more awareness and followership of the game in Nigeria.

“I am happy to note that we have players from different countries in Africa competing in the tour. It is a thing of pride for our country and I commend Globacom for it. Good players can emerge from this and I believe by next year, it (Glo Golf Tour) can even become a world tour with international players taking part in it,” the Senate President said.

”Through this, we can get young players who can effectively compete outside with the best international stars. The Glo Golf Tour has the highest prize money and this is wonderful. If other corporate bodies can emulate Globacom, I am sure the sport has very bright prospects in Nigeria,” Mark added.

Also speaking on the Glo Golf Tour, General IBM Haruna (rtd) said: “It is a good thing Glo is doing. The tour will encourage not only veteran players like me to continue playing the game but also young golfers to take to the sport.

The amateur players ended their competition on Wednesday, while the professional players entered Day Two of the competition, with the original 80 players who started on Tuesday reduced to 40. The top contenders, including winners of the Asaba and Sagamu legs, Vincent Torgah and Andrew Oche Odoh, are still in the race for the N15million prize money for professionals in Abuja alone.

The winner of the Abuja leg of the tour will emerge on Friday when the four-day play will come to an end.  The grand finale of the Glo Golf Tour will be held in Oturkpo Benue State from December 6 to 9. The Pro-Am purse for the tour is N62.5million, the biggest in Africa.