No fewer than 100 female golfers from the 19 northern states of the federation and beyond are in Jos to participate in the ongoing ninth edition of the Northern Open Tournament organised by the Northern Zone of the Lady Golfers Association of Nigeria (LGAN).

Juliet Monyei-Inyere, LGAN President, said this at the tee-off of the competition on Saturday in Jos.

Ms Monyei-Inyere, represented by Zainab Dogo, Financial Secretary of LGAN, said the competition, which had remained moribund for more than six years, would boost the spirit of golf among women in the northern part of the country.

She explained that the tournament was revived to stimulate more women, particularly the younger ones to play golf and promote the game in all nooks and crannies of the society.

Declaring the competition open, Governor Simon Lalong thanked LGAN for the choice of Plateau to host the competition, insisting that “it goes to further show that peace had returned to the state.”

Mr Lalong, represented by Sam Damla, Director General of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), commended LGAN for bridging the gender inequality hitherto existing in the game of golf.

“Golf promotes peace, friends and friendship. There is a huge revolution in the game of golf in Nigeria; more women have taken golf as part of life.

“So, this competition will not only promote the game, but it will make the golfing environment gender-friendly,” he said.

On his part, Steve Abba, the Captain of Rayfield Golf Club, Jos, thanked LGAN for choosing to host the competition at its club, and promised to ensure that the competition is held and concluded with minimal hitches.

Thaddeus Yilmen, the chairman of Plateau Golfers Association and Board Member representing North-Central zone in the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), said the tournament would not only improve the revenue base of the state but also encourage other younger women to play golf.

(NAN)