The Africa Golf Confederation (AGC) has conferred on the Senate President, Senator
David Mark with the ‘Distinguished Service Award for Golf in Africa’ in appreciation
to the Senate President’s efforts towards promoting the game of golf.
President of AGC, Ambassador Joe Malanji also named Senator Mark as the pillar of
Golf in Africa at the closing ceremony of the President’s cup of the AGC tournament
at the Nkana Golf Club in Kitwe, Zambia.
While conferring the award on the Senate President, Ambassador Malanji said that he
(Mark) had in his personal capacity sponsored and mentored a large contingent of
amateur golfers into the professional cadre.
According to him, “This is in addition to your other significant investments in golf
such as sponsoring national and international tournaments and the establishment of
the 18 hole international championship golf course, the Otukpo Golf and Country
Club, which is open free to all users. This singular act is unprecedented in golfing
history.”
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul
Mumeh, Ambassador Malanji was quoted to have said that the AGC was particularly
impressed with the International Academy built by Mark where young boys and girls
are trained free of charge and provided with the golfing kits.
Receiving the award, Senator Mark who was represented by his Special Adviser on
Sports and Youth Development, Dr. Peter Deshi expressed appreciation for the honour
and promised to continue to promote the game.
Senator Mark was optimistic that with more emphasis on Sports where youths could be
actively engaged, most of the societal vices plaguing the nations of the world would
have been curtailed.
He said that the Nigerian government has embarked on deliberate policy to promote
sports not just for competitions but also as a vehicle for promoting peace, unity and
cohesion amongst the citizenry.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/sen-mark-pillar-golf-africa/