Irabor Tees Off Armed Force Remembrance Day Golf Tournament to Celebrate Falling Heroes

Irabor Tees Off Armed Force Remembrance Day Golf Tournament to Celebrate Falling Heroes

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Maj-Gen. Lucky Irabor, today has kicked -off, first Armed Force Remembrance Day Golf Kitty/Tournament to commemorate and celebrating falling heros.

The event, which was part of the activities of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day hosted in collaboration with Nigerian Golf Federation (NGF) held at TY Buratai Golf Club in Abuja.

Represented by Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, said the event was hosted to celebrate personnels who have paid their supreme price, legend retired veterans and gallant wounded soldiers while defending the nation.

He noted that the competition was to raise fund in support of our falling heroes, promote the game of golf and bring the citizens closer to the military.

He added that it is paramount to say that as we are fighting the war against criminality and insurgencies, we also need to keep fit, this is why the tournament is important to us.

“It is not only golf, we have so many other sport activities lined up for these occasion”, he added.

In his remark, the Chairman of the Nigeria Gold Federation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe commended CDS for approving the partnership between the Defence headquarters and NGF while describing it as first of its kind.

He urged Nigerians to tap into Golf Course as more benefits aboard for both professionals and Amateurs for promoting the golf sporting activities in Nigeria.

He asserted that Nigeria had moved to the next level of golf development in Nigeria, noting that professionalism in line with world and global standards have been introduced to sport of golf by the NGF.

While feeding questions from newsmen, he said, “I’m happy to show you that if you enter the course now, every measure has been made according to international standard.

“We have over 250 golfers including professionals, amateurs, women among others, and it is an 18 hole golf course. Let me also assure you that with this partnership, we are going to open more windows in Nigeria”.

Runwase said every professional will will go home with an appearance fee and over 29 professionals will be vying for trophies. The three winners will go home with prices.

Also speaking, the Director, Defence Information, Maj – Gen Jimmy Akpor, said the tournament was organised to honour the fallen heroes who had paid the supreme price to keep Nigeria together, the living veterans as well as those who bore the scars of war and operations, and handicapped.

He said the sporting activities was aimed at building consciousness of the military and supporting them to continue to be the pride of the nation.

As part of the celebration, the Armed forces also kicked-off the Invictus games, a multi-sport event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, whose legs were amputated in theatres of operation know as Invictus team played the Team FCT at the indoor arena of the National Stadium.

The Team leader, Ojeh Bobby while presenting his opening remarks said the game shows the power of sports in recovery of our veterans and the reason for recovery.

He said: “the invictus game was organized as tribute to our troops to recognize and help wounded soldiers through sports

“NIGERIA has now joined the Invictus community of nations. As the first African country to join this community, our promise is that we will make Africa and indeed the world proud with our ability.”

By PRNigeria