Ekiti takes golf to schools

06.07.2008

EKITI State government is set to begin an early starter golf programme in secondary schools in the state as from next academic session

This is aimed at producing professional golfers in Ekiti State and at the same time exposing as many talent as possible to the game. Governor Segun Oni made the pronouncement while receiving the executive members of the Ekiti Golf Club, Ado Ekiti, in his office.

In a press statement by the Public Relations Officer of the club, Mr. Toyin Ayoola, who is also a Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Engr. Oni’s government was not interested in just winning local competitions or producing half-baked professionals, hence his determination to ensure that proper training was given to budding athletes in the state.

“The idea of producing real sports professionals in Ekiti State informed my administration’s decision to set up the Grassroots Sports Development programme in the state and I am very happy to say that the programme has successfully taken off,” Oni said.

The governor continues, “today Ekiti can now boast of having topmost professionals in some designated sports. For instance, Coach Adegboye Onigbinde is handling football; Emily Edet is handling athletics, while Kunle Abbey is in charge of tennis.”

The governor charged the Ekiti Golf Club to draw up a programme that would enable students in some schools in the state to play golf. According to the governor, such schools will be designated Golf playing schools as Golf will become part of the activities of such schools.

“The idea is this, the Golf club will be sending its professionals to the designated schools to give them lectures and bring the students to the Golf course for practical trainings”, Oni said.