Footballer turned Golfer: Odemwingie hungry to raise Olympic-level competitors in Nigeria

Former Super Eagles and LOSC Lille striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, is putting in the underground work to make golf a mainstream sport in the Nigerian society, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 43-year-old, in his playing days in the English Premier League League, scored 61 top-flight goals across three clubs in Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City.

Since hanging up his boots, the former Lokomotiv Moscow striker has pursued a professional golfing course and became a certified player last year.

Now, Odemwingie hopes his involvement in the sport (which isn't famous in Nigeria), will inspire the younger generation to follow his footsteps.

“My dream is to have the Nigerian flag on the elite level of golf. On the tour, I see all the flags there, but not Nigeria's. No, something needs to be done. Participation in golf has grown in the last few years, and I'm sure it will become more competitive just like football has been over the years.

“It's not as accessible in poorer nations like the developed side, but it's getting better and hopefully, my story will encourage people to start participating. Encourage parents to take their kids to get a feel of golf and I'm sure many of them will fall in love with the game like I did.

“I think a lot of people just need an opportunity. Once the opportunities are there, we know ourselves, Nigerians. If you give them an opportunity, they usually take it. Go and try. Get a club, where you can take huge golf shots and I'm sure when you hit it well, you'll want to come back,” Osaze said in an interview with BBC Africa.

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The former Bendel Insurance forward hopes he can use his influence to convince the state governments in Nigeria, to invest in the sport, while budding on the dream of leading Nigeria to a gold medal in the Olympics.

“If we have more golf courses, there will be tourism. Kids can get scholarships in good countries. If somebody sees an opportunity, they can latch on to it and give themselves an amazing life. One of my dreams is to see a Nigerian flag on the European Tour or PGA Tour.

“If I cannot play as a golfer, I can at least be in the team of a golfer who will play there. I want to introduce people to the game and build a generation of golfers, from Nigeria in particular, that will participate in the Olympics. The medal is very well respected. It’s a way to sell the project to our state government,” the former Bristol City man concluded.

Should Osaze's vision become a success, his story will inspire other Nigerian athletes to use their influence to help young talents achieve their dreams in the vast world of sports.