No fewer than 10 countries are expected to participate in the 2023 edition of the West & Central Africa Challenge Trophy in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the week-long event will hold at the Lakowe Lakes Golf Estate and Resort from Oct. 3 to Oct. 7.

Juliet Monyei -Inyere, President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), told NAN that Nigeria was hosting the tournament back-to-back after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Nigeria hosted and won the last West and Central Africa Challenge Trophy at Ikeja Golf Club in 2019.

“We are hoping to retain the West & Central Africa Golf domination with countries like Ghana and Sierra Leone coming with strong contenders.

“The countries that have confirmed participation include; Gabon, Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Benin, Senegal and hosts Nigeria,” she said.

Monyei-Inyere thanked the President of the Golf Federation, Segun Runsewe for his massive support in the sponsorship drive to make the event a success.

Ekanem Ekwueme, the Trustee for the West & Central Africa, who was unanimously entrusted the position a year ago in Tanzania, appealed for sponsorship support for Golf in Nigeria.

Ekwueme explained that the event is a World Amateur Golf Ranking event, with players playing their individual best to improve their world amateur ranking points or get on the world ranking.

“The World Ranking Golf Championship is a biennial Regional event that precedes the All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT). The tournament is a team event played over three days (54 holes).

“The country with the lowest cumulative gross score of 2 players wins. A team is made up of a Team Captain and three players,” she said.

She thanked the R & A for their efforts in Golf Development and their financial support always.

Lily Okem, the anchor person for the event assured that Nigeria was hosting to win the tournament, adding that the country had all it takes to retain the Cup.

Okem said that the top notch event was open for sponsorship.

She called on all well-meaning individuals, philanthropists, private, government as well as corporate bodies to come on board to ensure the event was an outstanding success.

“There are so many benefits which our would-be sponsors will enjoy, including verbal recognition at the event, to mention a few.

“They will also be listed as official sponsors in all pre-event promotional materials, prominent logo recognition on banners and signage at the event,” she said.

Victor Okoye, Media Director of the tournament, said the event which coincidentally falls on the period of Nigeria’s 63rd independence, promote the country’s rich diverse cultural heritage.

“It will include other side attractions with some cultural displays and hosting of Nigeria’s flag as well as other participating countries flag during the opening.

“The event promises the 10 out of 14 countries in the West and Central region of Africa, and over 120 elite golfers, a whole range of media glitz and corporate attention,” he said.

He said that the event would guarantee the presence of very high-profile personalities, royal fathers, elder statesmen, top ranking politicians and international business moguls.

Okoye said that top journalists from both new and traditional media within and outside the country would all be on ground to give the event massive coverage.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria