After many years of neglect, a new dawn is set as Cross River State Governor Prince Bassey Otu promised that golf would be captured as part of the general sports development plans for the state.
Governor Otu disclosed this during after he was inducted as member of Calabar Golf Club while he also appreciated the Club management for naming hole one after him.
The induction and naming of the hole one occurred at the Governor Bassey Otu Inaugural Golf Kitty organized by the club whereby golfers across the South-South Zone teed-off at the one day event.
In his remarks, governor Otu who performed the ceremonial tee-off promised to revive sports in the state in order to bolster revenue and investments in that sector. Adding that sports play an important role in the development of youths and the local economy generally.
Furthermore, he said: “I can recall many years ago when sports clubs and athletes in the state were known across Nigeria and abroad. Calabar Rovers FC is today not heard of anymore. Same for Pelican Stars FC, the female football team owned by the state government.
“My administration will have a sports development plan for the state. Let me assure that my government will draw up a plan to revive and activate sports.
“Also, let me tell you how happy I am to be inducted as a member of the Calabar Golf Club. I thank the organisers. Certainly, golf will be captured as part of the general sports development plans for the state.”
In the same vein, Captain of the club, Major General Ahmed Abubakar Sabo (rtd) had earlier called on the governor to look at the direction of golf in Calabar, noting that it has been neglected in the past eight years.
Gen. Sabo revealed the significance of golf as a gold mine that has not been tapped into, adding that the club has the potential of attracting important visitors to the state which can strengthen sports tourism of the state if properly harnessed.
However, he expressed that the presence of the governor was an indication that a new life has come into golfing in Calabar, which was relegated to irrelevance for almost a decade.
Newsnigeriaonline.com.ng recalls that Igbe Aruku was adjudged overall best at the end of the kitty having played a net score of 72 to lift the trophy.
