Former Tremendous Eagles and LOSC Lille striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, is placing within the underground work to make golf a mainstream sport within the Nigerian society, Soccernet.ng experiences.
The 43-year-old, in his taking part in days within the English Premier League League, scored 61 top-flight objectives throughout three golf equipment in Stoke Metropolis, West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff Metropolis.
Since hanging up his boots, the previous Lokomotiv Moscow striker has pursued knowledgeable {golfing} course and have become a licensed participant final yr.
Now, Odemwingie hopes his involvement within the sport (which isn’t well-known in Nigeria), will encourage the youthful era to comply with his footsteps.
“My dream is to have the Nigerian flag on the elite stage of golf. On the tour, I see all of the flags there, however not Nigeria’s. No, one thing must be completed. Participation in golf has grown in the previous few years, and I’m positive it’s going to turn into extra aggressive identical to soccer has been through the years.
“It’s not as accessible in poorer nations just like the developed facet, but it surely’s getting higher and hopefully, my story will encourage folks to begin taking part. Encourage mother and father to take their children to get a really feel of golf and I’m positive lots of them will fall in love with the sport like I did.
“I believe lots of people simply want a chance. As soon as the alternatives are there, we all know ourselves, Nigerians. If you happen to give them a chance, they often take it. Go and take a look at. Get a membership, the place you possibly can take large golf photographs and I’m positive while you hit it properly, you’ll need to come again,” Osaze mentioned in an interview with BBC Africa.
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The previous Bendel Insurance coverage ahead hopes he can use his affect to persuade the state governments in Nigeria, to spend money on the game, whereas budding on the dream of main Nigeria to a gold medal within the Olympics.
“If we now have extra golf programs, there shall be tourism. Children can get scholarships in good nations. If any individual sees a chance, they’ll latch on to it and provides themselves an incredible life. One among my desires is to see a Nigerian flag on the European Tour or PGA Tour.
“If I can’t play as a golfer, I can at the very least be within the workforce of a golfer who will play there. I need to introduce folks to the sport and construct a era of golfers, from Nigeria particularly, that may take part within the Olympics. The medal may be very properly revered. It’s a strategy to promote the mission to our state authorities,” the previous Bristol Metropolis man concluded.
Ought to Osaze’s imaginative and prescient turn into successful, his story will encourage different Nigerian athletes to make use of their affect to assist younger abilities obtain their desires within the huge world of sports activities.
