Lafia Golf Club yields revitalization opportunities with visit of Nasarawa Commissioner of Youth, Sports Development

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In a bid to galvanize the State’s sporting landscape, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, on Tuesday, embarked on an unannounced inspection tour of the Lafia Golf Club, located along Makurdi road, seeking to acquaint himself with the facility’s prevailing circumstances and identify potential revenue streams.

Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, and other senior officials from the Ministry and Aides to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Youth Development, the Commissioner received comprehensive briefing from the Golf Club’s Captain, Engr. Tony Affa, who provided an in-depth overview of the Club’s operational challenges and prospects.

This was contained in a statement by Head of Public Relations, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Eche Amos.

During the visit, the Commissioner took stock of the Club’s infrastructure, interacting with the Captain, and soliciting the input of golfers and support staff on measures to enhance the club’s fortunes.

In his remarks, Kwanta expressed satisfaction with the level of dedication exhibited by the Club’s new Management and patrons, while emphasizing the need for innovative strategies to augment revenue generation and reposition the Club as a hub for golfing excellence.

“I am here to congratulate you and your new EXCO on behalf of Governor Abdullahi Sule who is committed to developing sports from the grassroots to the peak.

“In line with our mandate as a Ministry, we are here today to encourage the officials and members of the Golf Club.

“Recall that Governor Abdullahi Sule recently approved funds for the renovation and upgrade of this facility to wear a new look.

“We thank our sports-loving Governor for his commitment and dedication to the Golf Club.

“Equally too, we have listened to your complaints concerning the facility and how we can better improve it to get the desired attention.

“We will return to the Ministry and analyse those grey areas and revert to the Governor accordingly, with the hope of getting a positive response from him.

“Continue to be good ambassadors of the State wherever you find yourselves as you continue to nurture talents for global sporting excellence.

“As a responsible Government, we wish to reiterate our support and commitment to the development of talent and sports in the State”, the Commissioner stated.

Captain of the Golf Club, Engr. Tony Effa, in his presentation, highlighted the Club’s potential for growth, citing opportunities for hosting major national and international tournaments, corporate events, and community patronage, while listing challenges bedeviling the Course.

“Thank you for the visit today. This is a visit that will enable us tackle most of our challenges.

“The Golf Course is faced with erosion that is threatening holes, and encroachment by cattle rearers which have seen our fences pulled down, exposing the facility to intruders.

“We lack some modern Golf equipment and machinery to put us at par with some of the best Golf Courses around the country, thereby affecting our desire to host major tournaments here and generate revenue.”

The visit by the Commissioner and his team is expected to catalyze a new dawn of collaboration between the Ministry and Management of the Golf Club, aimed at harnessing the facility’s full potential and contributing to the State’s sporting renaissance and revenue drive.