200 Golfers vie for victory as Vice Admiral Ogalla tees off NMS @ 70 Golf tournament

By Samuel Ahmadu

The TY Buratai Golf Course in Abuja recently played host to a remarkable gathering of golf enthusiasts as Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), initiated a special golf tournament in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Nigeria Military School (NMS).

Organized by the NMS ex-boys association as part of the institution’s anniversary celebrations, the event attracted a notable turnout of 200 golfers, including 50 ex-boys who are also avid golf players.

Vice Admiral Ogalla, a distinguished NMS ex-boy himself, expressed his appreciation to the organizers for orchestrating the golf tournament as a fitting tribute to the alma mater’s milestone anniversary.

In his remarks, he underscored the pivotal role of sports in military training, highlighting the enduring values instilled by the Nigeria Military School, including discipline, character, and resilience.

“It’s on this note that we all need to support the girls financially so that they can bring glory back to Kogi from Bayelsa because of the good players that they parade,” Ogalla.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Vice Admiral Ogalla emphasized the enduring bonds forged at NMS, noting the profound impact it has had on the lives of its alumni. He also extolled the virtues of golf as a sport with no age barriers, capable of fostering camaraderie and promoting physical fitness across generations.

“We encourage other organizations to invest in sports particularly the game of golf has no age barrier,” he added.

AVM K.G. Lar (retired), Chairman of the local organizing committee, provided insights into the scale of participation, revealing that the tournament boasted 200 golfers, with ex-boys of NMS and friends from various golf clubs nationwide contributing to the vibrant atmosphere. He expressed his anticipation for the competition, aiming to defend his title from the previous year’s tournament.

“About 200 golfers are playing including 50 ex-boys of NMS and 150 of our friends who are joining us from the various golf clubs across the country,” Lar said.

Muhammad Baba Marte, President of the NMS ex-Boys Association, echoed sentiments of pride and gratitude towards the alma mater, acknowledging its pivotal role in shaping the character and contributions of its alumni to national development, particularly in the realms of security and unity.

“The school has provided a lot for us, we came in as boys and left as men and the ex-boys have done a lot for national development in terms of security,” Marte noted.

In essence, the NMS @ 70 Golf Tournament served as a poignant celebration of camaraderie, tradition, and the enduring legacy of Nigeria Military School, uniting generations of ex-boys and golf enthusiasts in a shared spirit of fellowship and competition.