The president of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola has decried the lack of support from the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Trust yesterday on the sidelines of the 22nd Ladies Open Golf Championship at the IBB Golf Club, the former Osun State governor said the federation has been flying on its wings without any support from the ministry.
“If you have been following the event since we came into office, you would have seen that we have taken golf to a height that has never been achieved.
“I make bold to say that the federation has been flying on its own wings. By that I mean we have not had any supportive role from the ministry or from the government.
“We have participated in competitions in Morocco, in Botswana, in Mauritius, in Argentina. So far, it has been the job of the federation.
“I wouldn’t know why the ministry is not supporting the federation. This is my second tour of duty as the president of federation. I have been there before popular opinion decided to push me in again.
“In my first term, we were getting the running costs from the ministry but this time around, nothing, no dime and it is not limited to golf federation alone.
“I know that some federation because of connections get some support, but we have never received a dime, that’s why I said we are flying on our own wings,” he said.
The retired military officer also said despite lack of support from government, his federation is planning to “host and sponsor the region 2 and 3 competitions. Region 2 comprises of countries in the West African regions and Region 3 comprises of countries in the Central African region. So the competition starts on the 18th of February and ends on 23rd of February.”
