By Kelvin Obambon
The serenity of the Calabar Golf Course was on Saturday transformed into a bustling hub of athleticism and high-stakes networking as approximately 80 amateur golfers converged for the Governor’s Golf and Business Tournament, proudly sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria.
The event saw golfers from no fewer than 10 states across Nigeria, including Lagos, Rivers, Enugu and Edo, participate in the competition, which organizers hailed as a major step toward positioning Cross River as a prime destination for sports tourism and investment.
Governor Bassey Edet Otu who graced the event, emphasized his administration’s commitment to leveraging sports for economic growth. Fielding questions from journalists during the competition, Governor Otu highlighted the strategic importance of developing the game in the state.
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“We are looking to actually promote this sport,” he stated. “It is a sport that has a lot of attractions. Sports is now business and we are looking to make sure that we encourage our youths to go into sports.”
The Governor further noted that the tournament serves as a precursor to welcoming international visitors, stressing that “Cross River is a tourist destination. We are competing in anywhere you can think of. We are expecting a lot of visitors who are coming in towards the end of next month.”
The Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, reiterated the bank’s century-long relationship with Calabar and its dedication to promoting Nigerian sports. “First Bank is big on sports,” Alebiosu noted, referencing the bank’s long-running sponsorship of polo in Kaduna and the Lagos golf tournament.
“We have been present here in Calabar for over 100 years. And we have been supporting businesses in Calabar. And, of course, we have been supporting the government to also develop the state,” he said.
The bank chief concluded with a succinct assessment of the sport’s value, declaring that “Golf is life. Golf is health. Golf is business.”
For Cross River State Commissioner for Finance, Michael Odere, the event was more than just a tournament. It was meticulously designed to be a catalyst for economic interaction and investment.
Odere who is one of the brains behind the tournament, explained that the gathering sought to create “symbiotic, sustainable business, and socio-economic relationships. We are here to showcase not just business, not just tourism, not just culture.”
He asserted that the golf course provides a rare, relaxed environment for decision-makers to discuss business opportunities.
Vice Captain of the Calabar Golf Club, Anietie Okon, corroborated the Commissioner’s position, stating that the event’s objective was “for us to synergize with members of the state executive council and hopefully bring new investments to Calabar, and then showcase the golf club as a vast tourism potential largely untapped in Cross River.”
Okon summarized the true prize for the participants, stating that “The primary trophy for every golfer is a new friend, a new business partner. Amateur golfers don’t play for money. Only professional golfers play for money. Amateur golfers play for trophies and maybe prizes.”
