The IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja week-log activities to celebrate Nigeria's Independence Anniversary Golf tournament will come to an end on Sunday with 18-hole event.

Nigerian Amateur golfers alongside their counterparts from Ghana, Cameroon and Ugandan will fight for honour as well as winning different prizes as over 500 golfers have registered to participate in the last event of the one week activities.

Organized by the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, the Nigerian players and others from participating countries on Friday battled for the inter-countries double match play trophy, which was major part of activities to mark Nigeria’s independence anniversary. It was teed off shortly after the hoisting of flags of the participating countries amid funfair.

Captain, IBB International Golf and Country Club and the leader of the Nigerian team, Banjo Obaleye, said the match was to promote friendships and international diplomacy.

“ it is not about winning but friendship. It is about international diplomacy and business networking beyond the borders, that is what golf is all about, and that is what we are trying to promote,” he said.

He noted that despite the challenges facing Nigeria, there are more that unite Nigerians than what separate them.

“Our independence at 63 is not a joke, just like every other country, we might have our ups and downs, but we thank God that we are still standing as a one united Nigeria.
 
“We believe that at the end of every tunnel, there is always a light and we are hopeful that Nigeria will get better. Whatever we can do at our own level to promote Nigeria, we have to do it because we have no other country apart from Nigeria.

“We are the giant of Africa and we have to show that in everything we do, that is why this year’s independence golf tournament is different from what we have been having over the years. Here, we have three different countries coming to celebrate with us on our independence anniversary. 

President, Achimota Golf Club and captain of the Ghanaian team, Frank Adu Junior, said Nigeria and Ghana are like twins.

“Achimota Golf Club has had this relationship with IBB for a long time and it is reciprocal. At Ghana’s independence, they came down and at Nigeria’s independence, we came to play with them and it is a cherished relationship".

Team Uganda’s representative, Evah Mangala, described the international match play in commemoration of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day as a welcome development, saying it will open up business opportunities.

“I’m here in Nigeria for the first time and we are very excited as Ugandans to join you in celebrating your 63rd independence anniversary. Nigeria is Africa’s big brother and as Ugandans, we would like to be part of the Nigerian economy". Mangala said.

Sunday event will be the grand finale of the tournament that features over 500 golfers where the overall winner will be presented with a brand new car, courtesy of PAN.