Abuja — Fourteen golfers have officially secured their places to represent the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the highly anticipated National Sports Festival, slated to hold in Ogun State from May 16 to 30, 2025.
The final team, made up of seven men and seven women, emerged after a fiercely contested qualifying tournament at the prestigious IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.
The selection process saw over 50 golfers — both seasoned players and rising talents — compete for a spot on the FCT squad in a closely watched event that attracted spectators, golf enthusiasts, and dignitaries.
One of the standout moments was the appearance of Faridah Wada, former First Lady of Kogi State, whose presence added both glamour and inspiration to the qualifiers. Although she did not compete, Wada emphasized her visit was a gesture of encouragement for young and aspiring golfers in the FCT.
Head coach Adeniran Olanrewaju expressed optimism about the team’s chances at the festival, stressing that the focus now shifts to intensive training.
“We are going for medals and our training starts now,” Olanrewaju said.
Meanwhile, one of the successful qualifiers, Olalere Olakunle, described the selection process as both tough and rewarding, adding that the team is fully prepared to make the FCT proud when the festival begins in May.
The 2025 edition of the National Sports Festival is expected to gather athletes from across Nigeria in various sports disciplines, with golf set to feature as one of the major competitive attractions.
