Sports Minister, Tallen, Dogara Tee Off Independence Tourney

Sports Minister, Tallen, Dogara Tee Off Independence Tourney

 Ibrahim Lateef

The Nigeria @ 64 Independence Day golf tournament began on Tuesday morning with over 250 amateur golfers competing for honours in commemoration of the country's anniversary, reports BSNSports.com.ng.

Organised by the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, the 18-hole event was the last in the 6-day programmes lined up as part of the Independence anniversary celebrations. Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, who teed off the event, described the Club's yearly tournament as one that has been consistent in bringing diverse people together under the umbrella of Sports. Assisted by former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen, former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Past Captain of the Club, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, and Captain Ibrahim Babayo, the Minister, said Nigeria's sports story over the past sixty-four years is a mixed bag of failures and successes worth celebrating, notwithstanding some of the setbacks. "You really can't achieve victory without being together. When a team plays, they play together. As a country, our country can work for us, only when we are together. It is perseverance and resilience that bring the best out of sportsmen and women in any tournament." Enoh stated. Speaking in the same vein, Dame Pauline Tallen, Hon. Yakubu Dogora and Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, said the gathering of people with different political leanings and beliefs in the name of the Independence Tournament underlined the peoples' aspiration for togetherness. On his part, Captain of the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Ibrahim Babayo, said the Independence Tournament under his watch had presented the country as a unique brand to the world, noting that Golf is a unique game that calls for all and sundry. Chairman of the Organising Committee and Vice-Captain of the IBB Golf Club, Dr James Agbonhese, said the objectives of this year’s edition of the Independence Tourney had already been met ahead of the closing ceremony. The grand finale of the week-long Independence tournament comes up with the announcement of winners of the various categories as well as the cutting of the Independence anniversary cake.