Former Super Eagles striker, Osaze Odemwingie, has set his sights on achieving new milestones—not on the football pitch this time, but in golf.
With his recent qualification as a PGA professional, Odemwingie is now focused on earning a spot on Nigeria’s golf team for the upcoming Olympic Games.
Determined to raise the profile of golf in Africa, Odemwingie sees this as an opportunity to inspire a new generation of athletes.
“My goal is to see the Nigerian flag waving prominently among the elite in the sport. When I look at the PGA, I see all the flags, but I recognize our absence. As a former Nigerian footballer, I want to change that,” he said.
Highlighting the dedication required to excel in the sport, he continued, “Many believe it’s an easy sport, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Just like in football, you need physical strength and mental resilience to excel. The struggle is real.”
Odemwingie also emphasized golf’s potential to boost Nigeria’s economy and empower its youth.
He sees the development of more golf courses as a way to increase tourism and create opportunities for young talents to secure scholarships abroad.
“If we can establish more golf courses, we won’t just attract tourism, but also create scholarship opportunities for young talents abroad. Anyone who seizes this chance could pave the way for a remarkable life,” he noted.
To advance his vision, Odemwingie is actively engaging stakeholders and corporate sponsors in Nigeria, aiming to showcase the transformative impact of golf.
His ambitions include establishing a dual-purpose golf and football academy in Benin City to nurture talent from an early age.
“Golf is like any other sport; starting young increases the chance of becoming elite,” he said, adding that one of his dreams is to see the Nigerian flag represented on major tours like the PGA and European circuits.
He concluded with a message of inspiration, “I hope my journey encourages others to join in, inspiring parents to introduce their children to golf. I’m confident they will love the game just as I have.”
