The Chief of Staff to Imo state governor, Prince Eze Madumere has promised to promote golf in the state.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2nd edition of the Heineken Arsenal golf open tournament sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Limited (NBL) at the Arsenal Golf and country club, Obinze, near Owerri, Madumere pledged to help build structures at the Arsenal Golf club.
“Everybody is saying football, football; we need to play golf to help our body. I enjoyed the opportunity to tee off yesterday. For the fact that the Chief of Staff of Imo state is a golfer, I will recruit a lot of people as golfers. I will bring my friends to transform the club. Next year’s event would be bigger than ever,†he said.
He noted that that NBL has been outstanding in sponsoring sports in Nigeria and further called on other corporate organization to promote sports development in the country. He promised to assist the club upgrade its facilities and be rated as one of the best in the country.
I love golf, everybody should have time to unwind with golf, it is a wonderful game. I will bring my friends to support the club to promote the golf in Imo state. The Nigerian Breweries has been outstanding in promoting sports, they should not relent, and we encourage them to do what they are doing. Every sports loving Nigerian appreciates Nigerian Breweries for this. Every oil company, multinationals should emulate them. I wish to call on others to participate; if Nigerian Breweries can do it, they come in to support, it is a part of corporate social responsibility, he added.
The Chief of Staff said efforts should be made to recruit younger people, students and others to encourage them as it should not be football always. “It can be a strategy to curb some of the social vices that are taking place in the society,†he added.
In his address at the two day event, the Managing Director of NBL, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde disclosed that his company has been in the forefront of supporting sports development in Nigeria through the sponsorship of various tournaments which golf is one.
Vervelde who was represented by the Public Affairs Manager- East of NBL, Mrs Tonukari Emete said sponsoring the tournament has given the company the needed opportunity to provide an enabling environment for sports advancement and also create the avenue for socialization after work.
The Captain of the Arsenal Golf and Country club, Clifford Anukam expressed gratitude to Chief of Staff for his interest in the game. He charged him to attract the attention of the State government to promote golf.
Anukam further thanked NBL for their support and appealed to other corporate organizations to help promote golf in the country. He called on the public to embrace the game of golf, stressing that it would help them to keep fit.
The Captain disclosed that there have been lots of improvements in the club and called on public spirited individuals and the government to assist in the development of the club.
The tournament featured golfers from Oguta, Owerri, Enugu, Aba and Port Harcourt golf clubs.