Why Nigeria will do well in next year’s Rio Olympics- Lawal

Lawal has been active in golf for the past 25 years after first playing the game in 1990 and was able to turn professional ten years later before going on to win over twenty trophies nationwide with his biggest achievement being his participation in the 2003 British open alongside legends of the game like Ernie […]

Lawal has been active in golf for the past 25 years after first playing the game in 1990 and was able to turn professional ten years later before going on to win over twenty trophies nationwide with his biggest achievement being his participation in the 2003 British open alongside legends of the game like Ernie Els
In an interview with Fever Pitch, the ex-golfer who still holds the record of being the only Nigerian to have competed at the British open (in 2003) added that the country is immensely blessed with talented players that have what it takes to make the country proud in any championship with the only hinderance being lack of sponsorship that catapult these players to the very top so that they could compete with the Rory Mcillroys and Tiger Woods of this world.
“I have gone round the country on many occasions and I can tell you that we are really blessed with gifted players, the only problem we are having is lack of sponsorship if not for that our players can really go far in this sport but not withstanding I strongly believe we would do very well at the Olympics games” he said.
The National Sports Commission (NSC) has directed the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) to go embark on talent hunt at the grassroots to produce golfers that will represent the country at the Rio 2016 Olympics and subsequent games. Nigeria has been listed to participate in the golf event making its debut at the quadrennial games. President of the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), Peter Deshi, had already said that the sports commission had tasked the federation on ensuring adequate representation at the Rio games. “We have been directed by the National Sports Commission to go to the grassroots and preach golf to the enthusiasts,” Deshi said. “We are glad that golf has finally been accepted as an Olympic game by the International Olympics Committee, which means Nigeria will be represented. “We have gone round all the golf clubs to get the data of young and able golfers covering all categories and handicap in golf. “We will organise a national qualifier for the golfers, especially those within the age bracket approved by Olympics and it will take place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where we will select those who have the potential to bring honour to Nigeria and then camp them until the Olympics period.”
In both the men’s and women’s event, the top 15 world-ranked players will be eligible for selection, regardless of the number of players from a given country
Outside the top 15, players will be eligible based on world ranking with a maximum of two players from each country.
The competition will follow a 72-hole individual stroke-play format and, in the event of a tie for either first, second or third place, a three-hole play-off will determine the medal winners.
Meanwhile, the future of the golf course under construction for the games remains unclear after the city of Rio and the course developer both defendants in a lawsuit failed to agree to changes proposed by a Brazilian court.
Rio judge Eduardo Klausner said he would rule on the fate of the course unless the defendants and a public prosecutor returned with a compromise. The judge said work could continue, but new ground could not be unearthed on a course that is being carved out of a nature reserve.
The defendants offered to alter three holes of the layout, which is behind schedule and facing tight deadlines. The public prosecutor, who alleges the city and the developer have violated environmental laws, asked the developer to yield a large parcel of land being earmarked for luxury apartments.
Golf is returning to the Olympics after a 112-year absence. But legal challenges, disputes over land ownership and questions regarding the course’s impact on a fragile ecosystem, have caused delays dating back almost five years.
The dispute again raises questions about preparations for the Rio Games, which seem to be moving quicker in recent months after well-publicized slowdowns and public criticism from International Olympic Committee members.
Both sides told the judge it would not take long to return to his chambers with their final proposals. It was not clear how long this might take, and the judge did not specify a deadline.