Retired from the Nigerian Custom
Service in October 2008 after 32 years of meritorious service, Frank Gboneme,
who now has big business interest in the Petroleum sector and Freight Forwarding,
does not joke with keeping fit and that led him into the ‘gentle man game’ of
golf. Golf, he says, has helped him to stay in first-class shape physically and
mentally. The immediate past captain of Ikoyi Club 1938
(Golf Section) shed light on his fitness routine and its benefits. Excerpts:
At what point did you decide that you
must start serious fitness?
I have been
athletic all the while, even from my secondary schools, at the University in
the U.S: Alabama A & M University, I got to appreciate and understand more the
importance of fitness and keeping fit. Later in life when I started working, my
doctor also advised me to serious fitness and exercises and that is why in 1998
I started playing golf. Then I was working with government in the Nigerian Custom
Service and even when I retired in 2008 and started my own business I did not
stop because you to be fit to do well in business.
What is your fitness routine like?
I try as
much as possible to work out daily before leaving home in the morning. I have a
gym at home. I work on the treadmill and use weight for about one hour before
going to work. I also play golf at three times in a week. I play on Wednesday,
Saturday and Sunday. On Wednesday I play around the midday, very early on
Saturday and midday on Sunday after the church service. However whenever I’m playing
golf I don’t use the gym at home. I only use the gym whenever l am not playing
golf.
So how fit are you?
I am very
fit for my age. I don’t fall sick too often and l can walk 10km every other day.
Golf is an all round fitness routine. You can walk at your own pace and if you
want to, increase your pace so brisk walking and because a game of golf (18
holes game) last for about four hours by the time you finish a game; you have
successfully exercised all your system. If you are not fit you cannot finish a
round of golf. So if you can play three rounds a week, you have to be very fit.
What are the other benefits of golf?
Golf has
changed my life. Golf is a game of life. Aside from physical benefit, golf also
makes you mentally active. It also teaches one important lessons of life. For
example, you may play well today and tomorrow play badly. Meaning misfortune is
part of our daily life and we cannot be fully prepared for it. That is golf for
you. It is also an avenue to meet others in different field of life. You have
to play with different kind of people and get to know them better in the course
of the game.
How long do you intend to play golf
and keep fit?
I intend to
do this until death. We have golfers in this club in their 80s and still play
the game regularly. We have Papa Kuye and others in their advance age and they
are still playing. I cannot stop playing golf and would continue to play golf for
as long as l live and keep fit because it is even now that l need it more. Golf
is the only sport that other athletes, be it tennis, squash and basketball
players retire to. Golfers don’t retire to other sports and that is why it is a
sport for all. So to answer your question, only death can separate me from golf.
What about your family, do you
encourage them to keep fit?
My wife
plays golf though not as regularly as l do. And my children are also active in
sport. Though they prefer to play tennis, basketball and not golf. 
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