The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) is making waves in the world of professional golf by sponsoring the inaugural Professional Development Competition at Ikoyi Club in Lagos, slated for Thursday, October 10th, 2024.
In an exclusive interview, NSITF Managing Director Oluwaseun Mayomi shared insights on the organization’s commitment to encompassing professional golfers within its coverage. “It’s a common misconception that professional golfers aren’t included in our advocacy efforts,” he stated. “In reality, they absolutely fall within the categories we aim to support through our scheme.”
Mayomi elaborated on the NSITF’s mission, underlining its dedication to fulfilling the objectives laid out by the Employee Compensation Act. “Our goal is to broaden our reach and bring more dedicated citizens under our protection,” he emphasized.
He further explained that the organization is actively engaging in discussions to bring more professional athletes on board through their various associations, enhancing their compensation options with the NSITF. “This initiative is quite rare in Nigeria, especially given the unique challenges that different athletes face,” he observed.
“Ikoyi Club stands as a pillar of sports administration in Nigeria, attracting athletes from all walks of life and various sports. Our partnership with professional golf is a significant milestone in our efforts to connect with this segment of Nigerian workers,” Mayomi added.
With its reputation for hosting some of Nigeria’s finest golfers, Ikoyi Club is heralded as Africa’s largest sports club, home to an impressive roster of golf talent. “Ikoyi is arguably the most populated sports club on the continent, a fact that tends to be overlooked. It plays a crucial role as a primary employer for professional athletes, making it the ideal venue for NSITF to collect data that will inform our decision-making,” the NSITF chief executive concluded.
The upcoming competition is poised to be a standout event of the year, featuring a prestigious lineup of golfers, including former top players like Francis Epe and Sunday Olapade, alongside other distinguished talents such as Ikemefune Vincent, Paul Patrick, Michael Balogun, and Matthew Lawrence. The tournament, set as an 18-hole stroke play format, will also welcome select club members to join in the excitement.
