The consular general of the South African High Commission in Nigeria, Prof. Bobby Moroe, has said that the South African Cup Golf Tournament concluded on Sunday at Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos, will strengthen the business ties of both countries.
He said the event is to foster good relationships among the top businessmen from South Africa and Nigeria. “Since the maiden event held last year, we have had good feedback and we intend to keep it as part of the South African week going forward,” Moroe said.
The tournament was also organised to celebrate 30 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa, as well as an unbroken diplomatic relationship with Nigeria.
About 100 amateur golfers took part in the one-day stableford tournament with Ashish Gajjar and Ambassador Pauline Onafowokan winning the coveted prizes in the male and female categories.
Gajjar returned 41 stableford points to top the men’s order while Onafowokan won with 37 points.
Tolu Adesemowo, the Chief Executive of Crossflex International that organised the event, said the aim had been achieved.
“Nigeria and South Africa have more ties that bind them together than any African countries and this event was set up to see ways of strengthening the ties through golf. We look forward to seeing the partnership continue outside the golf course,” Adesemowo said.
Babatunde Oni, Vice captain of the Ikoyi Club’s Golf Section, said the club was honoured to host the strategic diplomatic tournament.
“This Nigerian and South African business people represented here would align better and as a representative of the present management team of the Ikoyi Club’s Golf Section, it is our job to provide the atmosphere needed to achieve this objective,” Oni said.
Other winners at the event include Prakash Keswani, who won the surprise 30th position prize. Linda Obieze and Funmi Omo returned 36 and 34 Stableford points to pick the second and third places for the women’s class while Uyi Osemwenge and Olubanwo Latilo posted 40 and 39 to emerge the men’s second and third place winners.