Osaze Odemwingie aims for Los Angeles 2028 Olympic glory in Golf

By Monsurah Olatunji

Former international footballer turned professional golfer, Peter Osaze Odemwingie, has set his sights on a new Olympic ambition — to see Nigeria represented in golf at the upcoming Olympic Games.

Born to a Nigerian father and a Russian mother in Uzbekistan, Odemwingie retired from football in 2018 and made the successful transition to professional golf. Following the reintroduction of golf to the Olympics in 2016, he sees a unique opportunity for Nigeria to make its mark in the sport, just as the country did when it won a silver medal in football at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“The medal is very well respected. It’s a way to sell the project to our state government,” he told BBC Sport Africa, reflecting on the potential impact of an Olympic medal in golf for Nigeria.

At 43, Odemwingie, who began playing golf toward the end of his Premier League career with West Bromwich Albion, graduated from the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) school in June 2024. He is now committed to raising the profile of golf in Nigeria, aiming to inspire a new generation of golfers. Part of his vision includes working closely with government officials and corporations to promote the sport’s benefits and establish a golf academy in Benin City.

“If I cannot play as a golfer, I can at least be in the team of a golfer who will play there,” Odemwingie explained, demonstrating his commitment to the growth of the sport in Nigeria. “I want to introduce people to the game and build a generation of golfers, particularly from Nigeria, who will participate in the Olympics.”

He also emphasized the broader benefits of golf, noting how more golf courses could boost tourism, create scholarship opportunities, and give young Nigerians a chance to improve their lives through the sport. “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.”

Odemwingie’s ambitious plan is to not only build a golf culture in Nigeria but also to see Nigerian golfers achieve Olympic success in the near future.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian football legend remains West Bromwich Albion’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 30 goals, cementing his legacy in football while embarking on a new journey in golf.