Coronavirus: Nigerian Army Postpones National Golf Tournament
The Nigerian Army has postponed the National Pro Army Golf Tournament competition to stem the spread of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) in the country.
The golf tournament was scheduled to hold from 21-22 March and was expected to gather hundreds of professional and amateur golfers from all over the country and Africa, in addition to the caddies, other support staff and spectators.
The Nigerian Army in a statement on Friday announced the postponement, despite the large number of players that had already arrived for the tournament while the Pro Tour commenced today.
The statement which was circulated by the Club Captain, Brig-Gen. A. Ariyibi read in part; “In the light of the overarching health interest of all players however and in compliance with government directives aimed at stemming the spread of the virus, the competition is hereby postponed.
“Another date would be communicated when appropriate. All inconveniences are hereby regretted.”
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The former president of the Nigerian Golf Federation (NGF), Peter Deshi had called on the chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai to postpone the National Pro Army Golf Tournament. He stressed that it was important to discourage public gathering to curb “this yet to fully understood but ferociously evolving virus.”
He noted that the minimum expected people at the event is over 500 and from all over the country and some golf professionals coming from other way African countries.
“This is not advisable at this critical time of corona pandemic and should not be seen to be organised by a respectable and disciplined government agency like the Nigerian army.
“The world golfing community is small and so information on this tournament and indeed any golfing tournament is always known within the golfing community world wide. Not a good image and publicity for Nigeria.
“We must be seen to be in tandem with the world in fighting this serious pandemic that has so far shown that it is no respecter of international boundaries, ethnicity, religion, region or class..
“There is a need for a postponement of this national golfing gathering to a later and safer date. Most important international sporting events have been similarly postponed world wide. Thank you sir,” he said.
By PRNigeria
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