The seventh edition of the Play With Stephen (PWS) tournament is set to debut in Nigeria in a bid for using sport to promote autism awareness and foster community inclusion.
The event themed Let’s Swing For Autism” is set to transform competitive golf into a platform for challenging misconceptions and advocating for greater understanding, bringing a movement that has spent six editions championing these causes to a new home market.
The tournament will run from August 21 to 23 at Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Club, Lagos.
This year’s edition would represent more than another chapter in the tournament’s history. It is a significant step in the growth of a movement that has spent six editions using sport to open conversations around autism, challenge misconceptions, and advocate for greater inclusion.
The event will feature competitive rounds of golf, engagement activities and dedicated sessions highlighting the experiences of individuals and families within the autism community.
According to PWS, the tournament is supported by brands including EBA (Eni Brand Architect), Wheatbaker, Diageo, Pepsi, Lakowe Lakes and MTN, among others.
For PWS Convener, Stephen Onaivi, bringing the tournament to Nigeria represents both a milestone and a return to the roots of the cause.
“Bringing the Play With Stephen Golf Tournament to Nigeria for the first time feels like a homecoming for a cause that has always been personal to us. Over six editions, we have watched golf become more than a game, it’s become a genuine platform for changing how people see and talk about autism. This 7th edition gives us the chance to bring that same purpose to a community with so much to offer this cause, and just as much to gain from it.” Onaivi said.
The tournament is expected to bring together golfers, sponsors, families and members of the autism community, creating opportunities for engagement around inclusion.
PWS said its activities extend beyond the annual tournament, with initiatives such as the Golf Tasting & Masterclass also designed to promote awareness and community engagement.
Play With Stephen (PWS) is a platform dedicated to advancing autism awareness and inclusion through sport, community engagement, and advocacy. Through initiatives such as the Golf Tasting & Masterclass and the Golf Tournament, PWS creates spaces where causes are championed with purpose, using sport as a vehicle to inspire conversations, build understanding, and encourage meaningful action.
The Lagos tournament will therefore serve as both the seventh edition of the initiative and its first Nigerian outing, bringing a campaign that has previously taken place outside the country to its home market.
Anthony Udugba is a seasoned entertainment business journalist at BusinessDay Media, boasting over four years of experience in the creative industry. With a proven track record of delivering insightful analysis and in-depth coverage, he leverages industry data, expert opinions, and stakeholder insights to craft compelling stories that shed light on the dynamic creative ecosystem.
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