FirstBank Golf Tourney Draws 210 Players to Kaduna

FirstBank Golf Tourney Draws 210 Players to Kaduna

By Sani Yakubu, Kaduna

FirstBank’s commitment to sports development will again take center stage in Kaduna, as no fewer than 210 golfers are set to compete in the third edition of its golf tournament, scheduled to kick off on March 26 at the Kaduna Golf Club.

Officials of FirstBank disclosed this in Kaduna during a media briefing held ahead of the competition, describing the event as part of the lender’s enduring support for sports development and community engagement in Nigeria.

Speaking at the briefing, the Group Executive, Retail Banking North, Idris Ibrahim, represented by the bank’s Business Development Manager, Abdullahi Abubakar, said the financial institution had maintained a strong presence in the promotion of golf in the country for over six decades.

He said the bank had continued its collaboration with the Kaduna Golf Tournament since 2023 as part of efforts to deepen interest in the sport and strengthen the golfing culture in Kaduna and beyond.

According to him, the sponsorship goes beyond competition, noting that it reflects the bank’s broader vision of building stronger communities and nurturing long-term relationships.

“For more than 130 years, we have remained committed to initiatives that support communities and create meaningful connections,” he said.

He added that backing the tournament was also in line with the bank’s drive to deepen engagement across Kaduna State and the wider northern region.

Ibrahim noted that golf represents qualities such as discipline, honesty, concentration, perseverance and mutual respect, values he said resonate with the institution’s corporate ideals.

He said the tournament would also serve as an important platform for both seasoned and emerging golfers to showcase their skills, gain visibility and develop their careers.

He explained that the bank’s involvement in the event falls under its First@sports initiative, a platform designed to support talent development and sustain traditional sporting activities such as golf, polo and tennis in Nigeria.

He encouraged participants to compete with determination while also embracing the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the event.

Ibrahim also praised the Kaduna Golf Club for sustaining the competition and contributing to the growth of golf in the northern part of the country.

Also speaking, the captain of Kaduna Golf Club, Nazifi Jibril, said this year’s tournament would feature several categories, including men’s, ladies’, veteran ladies’, super-veterans’, and the overall best performer.

He explained that the event was originally planned for last year but had to be shifted due to unforeseen circumstances.

Jibril announced that representatives from FirstBank and the Kaduna Golf Club would jointly perform a ceremonial tee-off to officially commence the championship.

He commended the bank for sustaining its support for the event, saying the gesture had once again shown its commitment to the advancement of golf in Nigeria.

The club’s captain added that members of the Kaduna Golf Club would continue to strengthen their relationship with the bank by patronising its products and services.