By Steve Oma-Ofozor
Gen. Allphonsus Bob Chukwu (rtd) has described golf’ as a worthy sport going by its health benefits which he said cannot be overemphasied saying, “After Holy Communion Is Golf.”
General Chukwu who was one of the elite officers who commanded the Nigerian soldiers in the battle against insurgency made the statement in a chat with SOKOnnect while reflecting on the success of the November 4-6, 2021 First Abakaliki Ladies Open Golf Championship which held in the Ebonyi State capital.
“Golf is a wonderful game! without golf I don’t know what else I should be doing, because it’s the secret of my physical fitness. This is why I’m always saying, ‘after Holy Communion is golf.’ It’s the game one needs to remain healthy at all times in life irrespective of your age and sex,” he said.
The Enugu State-born retired General who is arguably credited as one of the major financiers of activities at the Abakaliki Golf Club in this regard, appreciated Enene Fonne, the Lady Captain of the Club for living up to expectations in hosting the first Ladies Open Championship.
Gen. Chukwu who sponsored the Club’s Hole 9 green affirmed that the success of the first ever Ladies Open Championship has opened a new chapter in the club as all hands would be on deck to improve women participation in golf in the state.
“I’m very proud of the Lady Captain, Enene Fonne and the Club members are also proud of her for the success of the first Ladies Open Championship; she fasted and prayed ceaselessly for the success and God answered her prayers; she’s very hard-working and it’s paying for her; we will join hands together and ensure more women in the state are playing golf.
“For her hard work and dedication to her cause, people from across the country came to Abakaliki to be part of this tournament and celebrate with us and we also want our women to go out and play golf too – what can be better than that,” he queried.
The retired general who is still very active in the game of golf enthused that his love for the game is the reason there is a US$30 prize for the best teenage player in major tournament’s to encourage the younger ones in the game as he hoped to up the prize in due course.
It would be recalled that the Abakaliki Ladies Open Championship enjoyed a commensurable participation from golfers across the country and sponsorship which the summarised the success of the event.
