Give serious attention to golf - Asantehene

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has challenged Ghana’s sports authorities to give serious attention to golf and factor it into the national sports calendar as a discipline that can earn laurels for the country at an international meet.

He said the prospects of the sport was high, and therefore needed to be given much attention and focus.

The Asantehene was addressing golfers at the 57th MTN Asantehene Gold Cup, which an Ivorian female golf icon, Vivian Kuome, became the first to win at the tournament for three consecutive times.

Other winners of the five-day competition, which ended last Sunday at the Royal Golf Course in Kumasi, were Obuasi-based Prince Q. Amponsah, for the men’s scratch event; former Black Stars goal machine, Tony Yeboah, for men’s handicap; and Kojo Barnie of Achimota Golf Club for the professionals.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu noted that  football was not the only avenue for people to exhibit their talents, saying , not all Ghanaians could be footballers,  hence  the need to promote all  sports disciplines.

The Ashanti king said  as a member of the Royal Golf Club, he would play a crucial role in transforming  the sport in Kumasi, and therefore urged the city planners to provide the needed facilities to promote  the sport.

He  also asked the  management of  the Kumasi Golf Club to focus on  youth programmes with key interest in those under 10 years, explaining that  they were the future of  the sport.

The Asantehene gave insight into the importance of the discipline, which included maintaining good health, companionship and integrity.