(Posted 27th September 2023)
Organized in collaboration with Aviation Africa Summit,the second edition of the
premier, Pan-African golf tournament conceptualized to celebrate the common
aerodynamic nature of aviation and golf, and how aviation aides sports
tourism, was held the day after the summit.
The tournament which was held in IBB International Golf & Country Club, Abuja,
had team participation from Ibom Air, Dana Airlines, Air Peace, MamaJ
Aviation Consult, Sabre Travel Solutions, South African Airways, Federal
Airport Authority of Nigeria, League of Airport & Aviation Correspondents,
7Star Global Hangar, Wakanow and Boeing.
It also fielded players who played in the single category. At the end of the
keenly contested round of golf, the duo of Nasir G playing off handicap 17 and
Grp. Capt. USA Sadiq playing of handicap 18 — from FAAN — recorded a
combined 75 Stableford points to cart home the trophy for the team game
category.
In the singles category, Isaac Balami of 7Star Global Hangar carded 41
Stableford points, to beat Matthew Adekunle — who recorded 38 Stableford
points — to the winner’s trophy.
In the Lady’s category; Courage Chigere won with 34 Stableford points, while
Imelda Aba of Ibom Air won both ‘Longest Drive’ and ‘Nearest To The Pin’.
Speaking after the tournament, the CEO of Diplomacy Publishing & Events,
organizers of the tournament — Sòókò Deji Ajomale-McWord — expressed
gratitude to the organizers of Aviation Africa Summit, participating teams and
sponsors of the tournament, for making the tournament a resounding
success. “It’s only the second edition and a good number of aviation brands that matter
are already identifying with it and expressing their pleasure with the creativity,
innovation and delivery of the event”, he said.
When asked which destination will host the 3rd edition, he added “all things
being equal, it would be South Africa”.
While stating the rationale behind the tournament, Sòókò Deji, said “just like we are purposeful with our other events like International Diplomacy Stableford Golf Tournament, The Consul General Cup and Sport, Tourism & Diplomacy Conversation; Aviation Cup Africa isn’t just another tournament. A lot of informed thoughts went into its conceptualization. Do you know that the words ‘flight’, and ‘apron’ are used in both golf and aviation? In fact, a renowned golf equipment manufacturer called Callaway consulted Boeing on the aerodynamic performance of its XR16 driver, which debuted on the PGA Tour in Hawaii, in 2016.”
He went further by saying “The other time, someone asked me why is Diplomacy Publishing & Events, a brand known for diplomatic engagements interested in aviation? My response to him was that aviation is as important to diplomacy as diplomacy is important to aviation. AFCAC is a specialized agency of the African Union — a continental diplomatic entity. Aviation thrives on negotiated agreements among nations of the world, which diplomatic relations broker. There’s no BASA without diplomacy”. Without bilateral agreements to allow one to fly into or through the airspace of the other, world politics and economy can’t go on. This is why we came up with this platform as a recreational ground for a cocktail of fun and serious stuff, as we advance exchanges that make aviation and world economy thrive.”
