Sports ministry to budget for golf

THE Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Edward Osei Kwaku, says from next year his ministry will make budgetary provision for golf for the first time in order to accelerate the growth of the sport.

He disclosed further that the Ghana Golf Association has already presented their budget which would be included in the ministry's estimates for next year. Mr Osei Kwaku made the pledge as the guest of honour on the final day of this year's Peugeot Challenge Cup played at the Achimota Golf Course at the weekend. The two-day competition, sponsored by Prestige Motor Company Limited, local agents for Peugeot automobiles and Lufthansa Airlines, attracted over 150 participants in an 18-hole play.

Unlike last year's event played in a day, this year's competition appeared more challenging for the golfers.

In the end, Suzzie Abaloo and Kamil Noshie emerged champions in the women's and men's events respectively and thus earned the right to represent Ghana at the Peugeot Challenge Cup international final in France.

Abaloo, the pride of Ghana Reinsurance Company Limited, returned a net score of 142 to claim a back-to-back title, leaving Elizabeth Essel Koomson and Adelaide Owusu-Agyepong settling for the silver and bronze trophies respectively.

Kamil was, however, the surprise winner this year, after coercion from his friends to participate. He gave it his best shot and displaced other competitors, notably the defending champion Leonard Kwaku Okyere and Albert Brock.