A major charity golf event in Abuja has set an ambitious goal of returning one thousand out-of-school children to the classroom next year. The 1808 Charity International Foundation staged the fifth edition of its Junior Golf Tournament, using the sport as a powerful platform to address Nigeria's severe education crisis.
Leveraging Golf for Social Good
The tournament, held at the TYB International Golf Resort and Country Club, carried the theme "Rescue Out-of-School Children." This theme is a direct response to the staggering United Nations report which reveals that Nigeria has over 20 million children not attending school, the highest number in the world.
Founder and Executive Director of the foundation, Joseph Onus, explained that the event marks a decade of commitment to youth development. "We have been planning activities in Nigeria for the past ten years, and this event marks the fifth edition," Onus stated. He emphasized that the initiative goes beyond fundraising to deliberately instill a culture of philanthropy among young athletes.
How the Funding Model Works
The funding mechanism is direct and impactful. Each junior golfer participating in the tournament paid a registration fee of ₦15,000. This amount is specifically designated to cover the school fees for one out-of-school child for a year. "In essence, every child playing here is sponsoring another child's return to school," Onus clarified.
This year's edition saw 88 junior golfers participate, the lowest turnout since the tournament began. Organisers attributed this decline to widespread insecurity across the country, which prevented many participants from states like Bayelsa, Lagos, and Rivers from traveling by road.
The foundation has a clear plan for the beneficiaries. Priority will be given to children in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps who have lost both parents, followed by those from single-parent homes and homes where parents live with disabilities. Verified lists with assessments, pictures, and videos of potential beneficiaries are already in place.
Golf as a Tool for Discipline and Opportunity
Dr. Fortune Hayab, the Coordinator and Acting Country Director, highlighted the broader mission of using golf as a social tool. "We are using golf as a tool for charity to teach children what it means to play for a cause," Hayab said. She challenged the perception of golf as an elitist sport, stating it builds discipline, opens doors, and creates positive networks for young Nigerians.
The Resident Head Professional of the host club, Musa Usman, praised the tournament's organisation and its international standards. He confirmed that the event is affiliated with global golf rating systems, allowing outstanding performances by Nigerian juniors to be recognized worldwide.
The foundation plans to channel the funds raised to return 200 children each to schools across five target areas: Niger, Sokoto, Plateau (Jos), Benue, and the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). The ultimate number of children rescued from the streets and returned to education, however, depends entirely on the total funds mobilized through this and related initiatives.
