Akwa Ibom State is set to give 155 young golfers an opportunity to receive free professional training as part of a grassroots development initiative ahead of the 2027 Sports Festival.
The programme, announced by Governor Umo Eno at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, will see each of the state’s 31 Local Government Areas nominate five young golfers for the training.
The initiative has received the backing of Nigeria Golf Federation President, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, who described the programme as a significant investment in the future of golf and a model for developing young talent from the grassroots.
Runsewe said the NGF was prepared to partner with the Akwa Ibom Government to provide technical support, coaching, competitions and capacity-building opportunities for the selected youngsters.
He noted that taking the programme across all 31 Local Government Areas would widen the talent pool and provide children who may otherwise never encounter the sport with access to structured golf development.
“This is the kind of initiative we want to see across Nigeria because youth development is critical to the future of golf,” Runsewe said.
He added that the initiative demonstrated that sports development goes beyond staging competitions, stressing the importance of identifying talent early and providing the right environment for young athletes to develop.
The leadership and management of Uyo Golf Club will be responsible for grooming the selected golfers under the programme.
Governor Eno, through the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, said each Local Government Area would be required to provide five young golfers for free training ahead of next year’s festival.
“Henceforth, all the Local Governments will be required to provide five young golfers each for them to train free of charge, preparatory to next year’s festival,” Eno said.
Beyond golf, the governor said the 2026 Sports Festival reflected the expanding sporting base of the state, with the number of competitive disciplines increasing from 18 to 27.
About 4,000 young athletes participated in the 2026 edition, with the state government also promising recognition and rewards for medal winners and participating Local Government Areas.
For the NGF, the Akwa Ibom initiative could provide a wider pathway for identifying and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian golfers, while strengthening the sport’s presence beyond established golf centres.
Runsewe also urged golf clubs and other stakeholders across the country to adopt similar structured youth-development programmes to sustain the growth of the sport.
