WORLD acclaimed International Management Group (IMG) says that Nigeria is an emerging golf market with serious potentials, urging concerned authorities in the country to invest in the abundant golf talents that the country boasts.According to the organisation, there is the compelling need for corresponding support structures to be in place to aid the process of widening the base at the grassroots, where the bulk of the foundation work would be done.The IMG is a pioneer of sports management business and has to its credit over 50 years of experience, having set out in the late 1950 and early 1960s. It also manages world class events, resorts and sportsmen, including top-rated golfers and tennis stars around the world.In Nigeria, IMG manages the Ibom Golf Club - an arm of the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort in Uruan, Akwa Ibom State, and has promised to contribute its quota to the development of the game in the country.Four years after it was opened for business amidst a flurry of compliments, the facility - which is the biggest, most tasking and the only true championship golf course in Nigeria, recently earned the honour of one of golf's most authoritative publications, Golfweek, as 'Golfweek Course of Distinction.' It is the first resort in Africa to be so honoured.The IMG Director of Operations (golf), Andreas Dring, told The Guardian in an exclusive interview: 'Nigeria is an emerging market in terms of golf, so we are here to try and develop the game of golf and that means developing it at the grassroots.'We need to widen the base and create excitement around the game and that can be achieved by introducing young school children into the game at tender ages. This will enable them grow up with the knowledge of what golf is all about; they will also understand that golf is a beautiful game that has a lot of chances.'We are looking forward to introducing junior golf into this resort and we hope that other states and other areas of Nigeria will do the same.'We make no illusions about it paying off immediately because it is a long process. But I see no reason IMG should not be involved by using its experience and network to help develop the game in the country along with the Nigeria Golf Federation.'On the practical steps so far taken in this direction, the IMG chief, who was in the country recently, added: 'We have already discussed the possibility of building a youth and golf academy and this is certainly at the planning stages. We also have plans for the development of a driving range and an academy at the resort.''For us, this is a very important feature that must be present if we must bring the young generation to golf. IMG can do that with a new event at the resort or by inviting top professionals to come and show their talent and in the process lure young people to try and get into the game and understand what the game is all about.'But we have to find ways of making their every step on the range or the course, whether they are chipping or putting or generally playing with the ball, to be exciting.
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