Abeokuta Golf Club Prepares For Kings Cup Tournament
Abeokuta Golf Club is primed for the second edition of the King’s Cup which starts on October 10, as four kingdoms of Egbaland will contest against each other in a competition that means more than just a golf competition.
According to the organisers, the teams are expected to arrive in Abeokuta on October 8 as they will be fighting for bragging rights and honour. The kingdoms of Gbagura, Ake, Owu and Oke-Ona will all field teams in the one-day competition.
There will also be individual players, who will get the chance to showcase their talents on the hallowed Abeokuta Golf Club’s greens.
The chairman of the local organising committee, Wale Adeogun, disclosed that this year’s competition has been expanded to include more ladies and teams, adding, “the Egba royalty in all their grace will be part of the show.”
“The first edition was held during the peak of COVID-19, which restricted the competition to only two teams,” Adeogun said. “Now, we have agreed to expand the field to ensure that all the parts of the kingdom are represented. We expect about 150 players to battle for various honours.”
“The aim is to use golf to restore unity among Egba people and also showcase our culture.”
Adeogun emphasised that COVID-19 health protocols would be strictly observed by the participants during the tournament. Also speaking at the event, chief executive officer of Nilayo Sports Management, Bukola Olopade, said his outfit decided to support the King’s Cup because of its significance to Egba kingdom.
“I am particularly happy that the competition has been enlarged to include all the four kingdoms in Egbaland,” Olopade said. “This is the first time we will be having a unifying programme in the kingdom.”
“We thank our sponsors, Rite Foods, for agreeing to support this competition because golf is a difficult event to market.”
Chidi Nwoke/The Guardian.
