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Odemwingie transitioned to professional golf after retiring from football in 2018 and aims to win Nigeria’s first gold in the sport at the Olympics.
Former Super Eagles forward Osaze Odemwingie has revealed his ambition of seeing Nigeria represented in golf at the Olympics.
The former West Brom star, who transitioned to professional golf after retiring from football in 2018 is determined to elevate the sport in his home country and inspire a new generation of Nigerian golfers.
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Odemwingie began playing golf towards the end of his Premier League career at West Bromwich Albion. He graduated from the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) school in June 2024.
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With golf's reintroduction to the Olympics in 2016, he sees a unique opportunity for Nigeria.
What Odemwingie said
“If I cannot play as a golfer, I can at least be in the team of a golfer who will play there,” he told BBC Sport Africa.
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He continued, “I want to introduce people to the game and build a generation of golfers, from Nigeria in particular, that will participate in the Olympics.”
Odemwingie understands the prestige of Olympic competition, having been part of the Nigerian team that won silver in men's football at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
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Referencing his own medal and the gold won by Nigeria in Atlanta '96, he stated, “The medal is very well respected. It’s a way to sell the project to our state government.”
Beyond the Olympics, Odemwingie is focused on promoting golf within Nigeria. He plans to engage with government officials and corporations to highlight the benefits of the sport and establish a golf academy in Benin City.
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“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. It’s like any other sport. The earlier you start, you have a chance to become an elite,” he explained.
Odemwingie’s football career saw him play for Bendel Insurance in Nigeria before moving to Europe, where he played for clubs including La Louviere, Lille, Lokomotiv Moscow, West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City, Stoke City, Bristol City, Rotherham United, and Madura United in Indonesia.
He also earned 65 caps for the Super Eagles, scoring 11 goals.
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