49th Ladies Open Golf tournament set to showcase African talent, Nigerian culture
L-R: The Competition Secretary, Pat Ozoemene; Co-Chairman -49th Ladies Open, Mrs Nkoli Moka; the Lady Captain Ikoyi Club 1938, Fatumata Soukouna Coker; and the Co-Chairman -49th Ladies Open, Ronke Iyiola.
Abdullateef Fowewe
The upcoming 49th Ladies Open Golf Tournament organised by Ikoyi Golf Club scheduled for November 13-15, at Ikoyi Golf Club promises to be a vibrant celebration of Nigeria’s cultural diversity and resilience.
With the theme “A Taste of Nigeria,” the event will showcase local cuisine, music, and arts, while also introducing inclusivity and charity initiatives.
The organiser, while beefing journalists about the competition on Tuesday in Ikoyi Golf Club, Ikoyi area of Lagos State, highlighted the importance of the international tournament, which draws participants from across Africa, in fostering community spirit and promoting Nigerian heritage amidst ongoing economic difficulties.
Speaking, the Lady Captain Ikoyi Club 1938, Fatumata Soukouna Coker, said, “Ladies Open, 49th, equal of 1938, coming up on the 13th to the 15th of November. For this event, the committee has, over the month, tried to make preparations so that there will be a very pleasant experience for participants, and also people to come out to watch with us, our guests and our sponsors. This tournament is not just about tournament. It’s also about celebrating professionalism, culture. The theme of this tournament this year is ‘A Taste of Nigeria’. That is, we’re trying to bring out the vibrant cultural beauty of Nigeria, different ethnic groups in Nigeria.
“We’re doing this while we’re also playing the game of golf that we all love. So while doing this, also, we have a lot of new things that we’re introducing into this. It’s a gross tournament. We have a lot of sponsors that we are grateful to who have been a part of this, and because of them, this is a reality.”
She added, “This year, we are introducing a lot of things that had never been there before, in the sense of inclusivity, in the sense of also entrusting our charity. We have charity program for our parties, and we’re including our Lady pros for the first time. They’re going to be a part of this tournament. They’re playing with us on day one and day two, and also they will be there to showcase their professionalism and let us see the beauty of this game.
“Then for the three days, we will be celebrating Nigerian culture through music, dressing, and food, and we have three days of introducing all these beautiful ideas and what Nigeria has to offer international participants. Also, we will celebrate ourselves, the vision of Nigerian culture and International people who come out to play the tournament participants as well.”
In her remark, the Co-Chairman of the 49th Ladies Open, Mrs Nkoli Moka, noted that the tournament recognised by St Andrews, is poised to attract top golfers from across Africa, including participants from Uganda and Kenya.
She stated that the prestigious event which would be held at the Ikoyi Golf Club, promises a blend of competitive golf and cultural celebration under the theme “Global Harmony Through Recreation,” emphasising that with the new initiatives promoting inclusivity and charity, the tournament will feature local cuisine, music, and arts, creating a vibrant atmosphere for both players and spectators. The festivities kick off with a cocktail event on November 12, highlighting Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
She said, “Golf is not just coming to roll balls on the ground. It covers a lot. It does a lot for the people who play. We don’t just come here because we like to roll balls. We come here because we want the recreation. We want the comradery among the ladies and the men as well. It’s like a lifestyle. We come here for the therapy. it’s very therapeutic too, you walk around nature and really appreciate what nature has to offer.
“So you kind of wonder why people just get addicted to this game. Because it has so many positives about it. So we are quite excited to bring you the 49th Ladies Open. We have a very great captain who has included the CADS this year, and we’re going to watch them play on Monday before the game.”
Also, speaking with journalists, the Competition Secretary, Pat Ozoemene, stated that the upcoming golf tournament aims to elevate Nigeria’s status in the sport, with a strong emphasis on empowering female players.
She noted that they are encouraging local talent to compete against top golfers from South Africa and East Africa, fostering a competitive spirit that will showcase Nigeria’s capabilities on an international stage.
Ozoemene further said that with a structured prize system designed to challenge players, the event will also highlight the importance of camaraderie and personal growth through golf, stating that preparations are underway at the Ikoyi Club, promising an exciting and inclusive experience for participants and spectators alike.
“I appreciate everyone, and I know that as a team, like our chair and co-chair has said, we’re trying to showcase Africa and Nigeria, you know, so it’s one thing that we’re looking forward to, and I hope that we already know that the Ikoyi Club has always set that standard. And I guess the band is open.
“You know, for the first time, like she said, with their categories in this game, we have the 29 to 36 which is like category five. We have the category four, category three, 28 category one, four, and then just like that. So for us, now, what we’re trying to do is to get the whole, the best out, which I know Ikoyi club represents very, very well because we have other African women,” Ozoemene added.
