Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River has pledged to revolutionise sports as part of his ‘Peoples First’ agenda of repositioning the state for socio-economic growth and development.
Speaking during amemorial golf kitty in honour of late Pastor Ekpenyong Okokon Ita at the Calabar Golf Club, at the weekend, Governor Otu said his administration is focused on uplifting and making sports generallyattractive by putting the necessary structures in place to boost the sector, make it productive and lucrative for all stakeholders.
Represented by the Commissioner for Sports, Mrs Agnes Atsu, the governor reminded the Calabar Golf Club’s management that as an honorary member, he was aware of their expectations, especially as the rare honour of naming hole 19 after him has placed on him the enormous task of living up to the high expectations that comes with such privilege.
He tasked the officers to prioritisewhat would uplift the cub, stressing the need to correct the general notion that golf is an elitist sport by embarking on a grassroots talent hunt aimed at encouraging youths to embrace the game.
The Captain of the Calabar Golf Club, Major-General Ahmed M Sabo (rtd), thanked the government for embarking on serious infrastructural upliftment in the state, sports inclusive, and pledged their determination to continue makingsignature statements in sports development in the state, using golf as a reference point.
General Sabo reminded Governor Otu that Hole 19, which was named in his honour, requires attention and appealed to him to create time out of his busy schedule to tilt the hole, maintaining that golf brings people together for entertainment and friendship.
Also, the Club Captain thanked the sponsor of the kitty, Nyoki Ita, for making golfing part of activities to mark the burial of his late father, adding that Hole 5 has been acquired and named after Late Pastor Ita.
He said the kitty will become a full yearly competition which from next year.
