By Steve Oma-Ofozor
Lagos
The Nigerian Golf Federation (NGF) Has Refuted the claim that Kano State woman golf team have been disqualified following allegation of cheating in the on-going National Sports Festival tagged, Gateway Games.
An online paper, sportszone.com, on Monday May 26 had reported that what could had led to a “free-for-all” was averted at the Abeokuta Golf Club, venue of the golf event after the Kano State Ladies Team were said to have been disqualified by the NGF over cheating at the medal stage.
SOKOnnect check however, revealed that no team nor its player was disqualified while the golf event lasted, just as Kano Ladies won the gold medal.
According to a statement made available to the press and signed by the NGF Technical Director, Olajide Bolaji,
the allegation was said to be unfounded and malicious as the report also alleged that the NGF Technical Director orded the disqualification.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of NGF has been drawn to a report by an online paper, sportszone.com, alleging that I, Olajide Bolaji, Technical Director, Nigeria Golf Federation, masterminded the disqualification Kano State Ladies Golf Team; this is totally wrong and very embarrassing to my person and the Federation that I represent.
“The matter was reported to the NGF technical team on Sunday May 25 and we immediately commenced investigation; we couldn’t get the Kano State players explanation immediately, because it was in the evening – they have to go to their hotel. By Monday May 26 our investigation was concluded.
“Hence, I want to state cateegorically that from our findings, the decision is that Kano State Ladies did not cheat and so they cannot be disqualified. It was an allegation.
“However, I want to use this opportunity to advise that journalists must always cross check their facts before publishing and avoid bias reporting. To say I was unavailable to confirm the allegation was wrong, because I was on ground at the club until the investigation was concluded,” the statement stated.
Meanwhile, the NGF Technical Director affirmed that the report of the entire development has as at the time of putting this report together, been submitted to the NGF President, Otunba Segun Runsewe, who has assured to look into the matter.
