The Consular General of the South African High Commission in Nigeria, Professor Bobby Moroe, recently stated his belief that the South African Cup golf tournament, which took place at Ikoyi Club 1938 on Sunday, will act as a catalyst for strengthening business connections between the two countries.
Ninety-three amateur golfers participated in the one-day Stableford tournament at the esteemed golf section of Ikoyi Club. Ashish Gajjar and Ambassador Pauline Onafowokan emerged as the standout performers in the male and female categories, respectively. Gajjar clinched the men’s title with an impressive 41 Stableford points, while Onafowokan showcased her skills with 37 points to secure victory in the women’s category.
In addition to celebrating 30 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa, the tournament also aimed to commemorate the unbroken diplomatic relationship between South Africa and Nigeria. According to Professor Moroe, the primary objective of the event is to strengthen the rapport among prominent business figures from both nations. He further mentioned that the positive feedback received following the inaugural tournament last year has prompted the organisers to incorporate it as an integral part of the South African week in the future.
Tolu Adesemowo, the Chief Executive of Crossflex International, expressed enthusiasm for the future editions of the tournament, emphasising that the event has been a resounding success from its inception. The positive response has fuelled anticipation for the upcoming events, with the expectation that they will have a lasting impact beyond the golf course.
In addition to Gajjar and Onafowokan, other winners at the event included Prakash Keswani, who claimed the surprise 30th position prize. Linda Obieze and Funmi Omo secured the second and third positions, respectively, in the women’s category by attaining 36 and 34 Stableford points. Meanwhile, Uyi Osemwenge and Olubanwo Latilo achieved second and third place, respectively, in the men’s category with scores of 40 and 39.
The South African Cup golf tournament has thus not only served as a platform for celebrating sporting excellence but has also played a pivotal role in fostering camaraderie and enhancing collaboration between South African and Nigerian businesses. As the event continues to gain momentum, it is poised to make a lasting impact on the business landscape of the two nations.