The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged both the government and corporate bodies to collaborate to address the issue of financing sporting activities since it could create disaffection within the rank and file of the fraternity.
Addressing golfers at the 58th Golf Tournament in his honor, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, called for an immediate halt of investing the country’s resources into one sport to the neglect of the rest as a way of creating an equal platform for athletes to develop their talents.
The King who has commenced a campaign of helping to produce a crack team capable of representing the country at the next Olympics hoped that the nation could bounce back to its previous glorious years.
Through his initiative, Ghana has been accepted into the European golf family and could now compete in the European circuit.
He noted that it provided Ghanaian golfers the opportunity to compete with the ‘movers and shakers’ of the world and strike business deals.
According to the Asantehene it was important to seize the opportunity to network on all fronts and help develop Ghana golf.
With the introduction of golf as an Olympic sport, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, challenged the various golf clubs to launch ‘Operation find the Tiger,’ to hunt, harness and develop budding talents who will be able to rub shoulders with the best in the world.
In the exciting event, ever-improving Cynthia Nyantakyi of the Royal Golf Club delivered a face-saving perfect stroke to clinch the ladies scratch topmost prize as Yaw Dogbe of the Achimota Golf Club won the overall men’s scratch category at last Sunday’s four-day 58th MTN-Asantehene Gold Cup.
After a ceremonial tee off last Saturday by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in whose honour the competition was played, Cynthia swung into action and built on the blistering start last Sunday to win with a gross of score of 163 to end what would have been an Achimota-dominated competition.
Dogbe who won with a gross score of 150 completed an amazing display of great golf prowess by the men from Achimota as unbeaten Amos Koblah won the four-day 72-hole professional event ahead compatriot Lucky Ayisah.
Koblah became the easy favourite to win and, he rightly lived up to the billing.
After a rather shaky tee off, Kobla proved too strong for his younger competitors on the second and final days in particular, grossing 287 to take home Ghc10,000.
The competition would been keener especially in the ladies category if favourites like Jessica Tei, Leticia Amponsah, Helen Appah, Vivien Koume and Vivian Dick had lived up to expectation, however they could not play their best.
Musa Adams and M. I. Oppong won the men’s and Ladies handicap competition while the current national youth champion, Patrick Agyiri of the Daamang Golf Club endorsed his superiority in that division.
Other winners on the day were C. K. Kusi (seniors), Nana Osei Kwadwo II, E. K. Bonsu, and the current Golfer of the year, Kwabena Poku in the men’s support group.
Dr. BK Baiden Captain of Royal Golf Club used the occasion to passionately appeal to corporate bodies to go beyond the sponsorship of tournaments to programmes that are aimed at the continuous development of golf. My invitation to you all is to be a part of the great vision for both current and future generations by partnering and supporting golf clubs to roll out medium to long term programmes.
Chief Executive of MTN Serame Taukobong said MTN has consistently remained at the forfront of the telcos businesses; we are also proud to have ignited a great interest in golf.
“Our aim is to make it a popular sport, hence our sponsorship for tournaments like MTN Classic, Spoons and CEO invitational.” He expressed.
Winners in the various categories, from the youth, seniors, pros, scratch, handicap to the supporting group went home with trophies and MTN souvenirs.
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