By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 21, 2022

An international body that grooms golf stars, I-YESS International Golf Academy, has reached an agreement with the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Nigeria and other stakeholders to begin a development programme aimed at unearthing talents from the grassroots.

Speaking while unveiling the programme at a meeting with officials of the PGA Nigeria in Lagos recently, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the academy, Dr. Bob Olukoya, said the project is expected to begin in January 2023.

He promised to adopt internationally accepted programmes and syllabus to make the project a success.

Olukoya and his colleague, Dr. John Pates, a sports psychologist, who are based in Malvern, England, United Kingdom, revealed that the golf development programme would have the academy set up in a tripod zone of the country.

He confirmed that the Sports University in Idumuje-Ugboko, Delta State, as the main campus of the academy, which will cover the South East and South South zones, while Ikeja Golf Club in Lagos (South West Zone) and IBB Golf Club, Abuja (Northern Zone) also proposed campuses of the academy.

Olukoya said his belief that golf has the potential of changing people’s fortunes, just like football, necessitated the push for an effective grassroots programme – an academy that will produce future golf heroes.

He said pathways would be created for graduates of the academy to play in minor tours in Europe, Asia and America, adding that exceptional players would also advance to major tours with the possibility of attracting international sponsors into the country.

“Let me first demystify that perception that golf is for the elites is not true; anybody can play golf, poor or rich, golf is for all; this is why I-YESS International Golf Academy is coming on board to produce the platform for talents to thrive.

“It is a revolution to grow golf from the grassroots across the country; change lives with golf as football; we want to raise and expose future golf heroes, to produce stars as Tiger Woods. But we can’t do it alone, which is why we are in Lagos to meet with the PGA of Nigeria and other stakeholders for partnership,” he explained.

Olukoya revealed that the academy will have its maiden tournament in the first quarter of 2023, adding that as part of the partnership and incentives ahead of the academy’s commencement, I-YESS International Golf Academy will offer scholarships to top finishers in the ninth Awa Ibraheem Junior Open Golf Tournament, which tees off this weekend at the Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos.

Also speaking on the project, PGA of Nigeria Secretary and Technical Director, Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Jide Bolaji, noted: “It’s the statutory responsibility of the PGA Nigeria to join in the progress and development of golf in Nigeria and take it to the next level.”

Other dignitaries present at the occasion were General Manager, PGA Nigeria, Mike Alika; NOC member and co-founder, 4E Sports, Emy Ekong, among others.

Source The Guardian Nigeria

Posted October 21, 2022

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