Srinagar: Popularity in golf amongst children surged across Srinagar city schools. National Iniative for Golf in School an IGU program for introducing golf at schools is being executed and subsidised in Srinagar by Women’s Golf Association of India for the second time in less than 2 months. The program culminated at DPS Srinagar by two young students of class 3 Adeena Jaweed and Sahil Bilal for 28 children.
Presentation Convent once again sent 30 girls to be introduced to the sport with well over 200 young girls who are in a queue to be introduced to the game. New entrants to the NIGS-WGAI Golf coaching program are 22 boys from Burnhall Boys Higher Secondary school. The two centre coaching camps are being conducted at DPS Srinagar Golf Academy and Royal Springs Golf Course.
President of WGAI Kavita Singh has lauded the efforts of schools in their cooperation and support rendered to golf the coaches and the organisation during execution of golf camps for school going children in the valley.
“The WGAI is committed to guide and nurture young talent. Since there is so much promise in the valley, we look forward to seeing rewarding results from the children in a few months. Golf being an Olympic sport has to be popularised for children in the valley. Future of the game is in their hands. Response after the inaugural camp in June motivated us to return to Srinagar. At the end of the current camp there will be 152 children who would have been successfully introduced to golf through NIGS-WGAI Golf coaching program. The fact that a larger percentage of students training are girls has been heartening to note. Incentive to introduce girl child to golf has been very welcomed” stated Secretary General of Women’s Golf Association India Champika Sayal in Srinagar.|
Vikram Sethi from NGAI has been appointed head coach for NIGS-WGAI Golf Coaching Camp in Srinagar again. Sethi stated that there is no shortage of talent in the valley and expressed his joy to be back again in Srinagar again within such a short duration. “In the next two years some of these bright sparks will be playing in Junior National Circuit he stated”. Anjali Chopra India’s former Ladies National Champion became a teacher at National Golf Academy of India about 5 years ago, she has been appointed Assistant Coach to ensure that girls can be well trained. Anjali will be back from time to time for follow up camps since there are no women golf teachers in J&K.
Come September as good golfing weather returns to the valley, WGAI will hold golf clinics for enthusiastic mothers of school going girls during the Hero Women’s Professional Golf tour leg scheduled to be held at Royal Springs Golf Course from 16th to 19th September.
