Gov Otu Joins Calabar Golf Club, Pledges Support For Sport

 

BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR

The Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu has pledged to promote and support golf as part of his administration’s tourism initiatives aimed at attracting global attention to the State.

Governor Otu, who spoke during his induction as a member of the prestigious Calabar Golf Club, said the State government would explore available opportunities to encourage the sport given its huge potential in terms of social, environmental, and economic benefits to the State.

The Governor said besides using the Calabar Golf Club membership for personal exercise and relaxation after hectic official hours, those who are into golf can testify to its unique opportunities for recreation, health and well-being, socialisation, and networking among other huge benefits.

He appreciated the Club management for the induction as a member and promise the State government support within available resources to grow the game in Cross River.

While performing the induction, the Club’s Captain, Major General Mohammed Sabo (rtd) said the recognition was based on the Governor’s track record of people-first-oriented programmes that stands him out as one who shares in the pain and yearnings of his people.

Describing golf as a game of life capable of bringing Cross River onto the world map as the number one tourism destination, General Sabo thanked the Governor for honouring the invitation to become a member of the Club and assured him that it would be worthwhile.

The Club Captain, who lamented that Governor Ben Ayade’s eight years tenure had not benefitted from Golf as a sport with the State generally declining in sports development, urged the Governor to see and regard golf not only as a leisure activity but also as a means of life development.

Going down memory, General Sabo said having served in Cross River as Brigade Commander and retired, he found the people quite friendly and peaceful which compelled him to prefer settling in the state with his family in retirement.

Located beside the Eburutu Barracks of the Nigerian Army in Calabar, the 18-hole Golf Club has hole one named after the Governor as part of the induction rites.

Global statistics indicate that “Golf courses account for more than two million acres of green space across the U.S”, and it has been posited that the economic potential of golf as a sport includes foreign exchange earnings as well as improved tourism, leisure, and business.

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