Bandar Utama: The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) has joined forces with the Ministry of Education to realise a long-term effort to take golf to schools by teeing-off its Golf in Schools programme on Sunday.
The pilot programme will see golf clubs being set-up in seven Klang Valley schools in the Klang Valley, namely Sekolah Kebangsaan Saujana Impian, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jalan 4 Bandar Baru Bangi, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Damansara, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Kiara, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St John, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Hartamas as well as the Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Utama 2 before it is expanded nationwide.
Utilising the RM2 million development grant awarded by Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak during the Maybank Malaysian Open this year, the association will provide junior golf clubs as well as provide training for three teacher advisors from each school, equipping them with the basic fundamentals of golf to be able to guide their students in the early stages.
The initial phase of the programme will see students pick up the basics of golf within the vicinity of their own schools for a period of three to six months before moving to training centres to be established at nearby driving ranges to further hone their skills. Promising talents spotted will be given the opportunity to further improve their golf game under the wings of reputable teaching professionals and take to the course at partnering golf clubs.
MGA vice-president Datuk Mohamed Zain Yusuf, who is also chairman of the National Junior Development Programme (NJDP), inaugurated the programme with the launching of the first golf club in Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Utama 2.
“We understand the importance of increasing the talent pool of junior golfers and with golf being re-introduced in the Rio Olympics, we believe that the best way to identify future stars for Malaysia is to start at the grassroots level and where better to start than at schools. We are pleased that the Ministry of Education was receptive of our idea and their support has been immense in allowing us to take this big step forward,” he said.
Zain also expressed his hope that corporate Malaysia as well as golf equipment companies will step in with crucial sponsorship to ensure that the programme remains a sustainable venture beyond the association’s initial four-year roadmap.
“Golf’s governing body, The Royal & Ancient have helped us tremendously by providing 40 junior golf sets to tee-off the programme and we hope that corporate companies as well as golf equipment companies will join the bandwagon. We have given a guarantee to the Ministry that each student will receive continued guidance for at least two years and I hope that the children will bring dedication and commitment to each lesson,” added Zain, who noted that the association will vigorously follow through the implementation of the programme in each schools and conduct frequent reviews
MOE’s sports unit director Ee Yong shared her enthusiasm for the programme to provide a steady stream of up-and-coming golfers for the country.
“We were very excited when MGA first approached us and the model we have now is a result of a series of dialogues and brain-storming session we had with the association to ensure that all the groundwork was done before. The programme fits in well with the ministry’s vision of “One Student, One Sport” and we hope that the association remains committed and serious in ensuring that this programme will be a sustainable, long-term effort and not just a publicity stunt.
“The feedback we have received from the headmaster and the teacher advisors of SK Bandar Utama 2 has been very encouraging and as you can see today, the students are very excited about picking up golf. I hope that the parents in all the selected schools will see the potential benefits of this programme and encourage their children to pick up the game,” she added.
Former national S. Sivachandhran was also present to conduct the inaugural clinic for the pioneer batch of junior golfers from the school.
