Modibbo Adamu Abubakar: NGF should sensitise Nigerians on benefits of playing golf

A Kano based golfer, Arc Modibbo Adamu Abubakar has asked the Nigeria Golf Federation to sensitise Nigerians on the health benefits accrued from playing golf. In this interview after a tournament organised by Daily Trust, Modibbo said golf is not expensive as people think since the costs of the kits depends on the brand.

How long have you been playing golf?

Basically, I have been playing for the last four years. I learnt the game quickly and I am still learning the game. We learn every day. 

Since you started, what can you say about the game?

Sincerely speaking, in my own terms, there is no game like golf. Since I started playing, I never get bored on the course. Whenever I am free, I always rush to play golf. 

• Christmas: Nigerians throng markets despite high cost of commodities
• Column No.6: Welcome to the hardest part of a Nigerian’s year

You know it is a game you can play alone. Wherever I go, I always carry my bag. I will call my caddie and if he is around, we will get into the course and the game begins. 

What had the game of golf taught you? 

Interestingly, playing golf has improved me mentally and has raised my awareness. Golf makes one sharper and also competitive. Playing golf has equally helped me widen my scope and see things from different angles. The way you see the ball going is not the same way another person will see and it all depends on the angles. 

There is the popular notion that the game of golf is only for the elite because of the cost of equipment. It is often difficult for an average Nigerian to play golf. What can be done to bridge that gap? 

I for one, that was what I thought initially. Where I stay in Kano is not far from the golf course. It was when I was introduced to the game, I realized it was not that notion that people thought of. 

Of course, the equipment is expensive but once you get them, that is all with an association fee of N40,000 like in a place like Kano and you only pay N200 to play. If you play three times a week, how much will you spend in a week, month and even the year? 

You can get normal clothing which is also cheap and good. It depends solely on how you regard these things. Some require expensive things while others require not too expensive things. So based on that, the choice is left to the person. They are cheap and affordable golf kits for an average Nigerian. There are different brands and each brand has its market. Just as I said, it is the choice of the person 

What can be done to see golf courses built across the country just as we have football stadiums? 

First and foremost, those in the golfing game should try and invite those who are yet to be in the industry. Just as you mentioned, people will think it’s just for the elites. Let us extend the message to them to come to play and enjoy themselves. 

Another thing is that the golf federation should educate people on the health benefits of playing golf and not really as a game of enjoyment. It is a game you can play at an old age. It is a game you can play alone or even invite two or three friends. 

Tell me if you fly out of the country and play golf there is not less than $100 and if you stay in the country and play, there will be money going round from the caddie to everyone, like hotel involved in golf and the money stays in the country. 

I have invited four people into golf and they are now inviting other people and the chain continues like that. So, you can imagine the growth of the game in the long run. We need to bring golf to the grassroots as well because that is where the next stars will emerge from. 

Talking about grassroots, there have been calls for Nigeria to participate in golf in Olympics. Do you support this call? 

I fully support the call. It is high time Nigeria plays golf in Olympics because we have the talents to win medals for the country. We have professional players who can confidently rub shoulders with the foreign counterparts successfully. 

What can you say about this tournament organized by Daily Trust? 

I was going to travel but had to postpone my journey because I wanted to play. The kits we were given are excellent as they are materials one can wear anywhere anytime anyplace and appear great. 

Daily Trust should maintain this tournament while adding more innovation, value to it. The competition should go around Nigeria. Maybe they should entice people so as to get more people. Golf is beyond playing as you can come to interact, meet new people.