Sri Lanka Golf conducts awareness programme in Killinochchi

The Sri Lanka Golf (SLG) initiative of creating awareness throughout the country, took another step further when SLG's Junior Sub Committee, represented by Chandana Weerasinghe and Chairperson Niloo Jayathilake made the long journey to the northern region of Sri Lanka. Through the programme they introduced a golf awareness talent search at the Killinochchi Central College school grounds a few days ago.

The enthusiasm and interest to introduce golf to the students was spearheaded and greatly encouraged by the school Principal, M. Ravindran and the Master-in- Charge of Sports Hajeepan. Forty students aged 12 years and under came to the school grounds to try out golf under the watchful eye of the Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU) professionals. Twenty children were selected to be trained under a structured coaching programme for one year.

The Killinochchi Central College Principal embraced the offer by SLG to introduce golf to the students and appreciated the golf outreach programme for junior golf development, supported by R and A, the World Governing Body for golf.

The Chairperson Junior Golf Committee, Niloo Jayathilake said: "It was emotional and touching to see the enthusiasm of the young children and the joy on their faces as they tried out their talents guided by the professional coaching team of the SLGU. I am most grateful to the generous Sponsors Hirdramani Group of Companies, Access Engineering and LB Finance, for their support to sponsor coaching and equipment facilitating the Golf Grass Roots Programme".

Jayathilake speaking further said: "Our vision at SLG is that we wish to take golf to the grassroots throughout the country, with a view to making the sport popular in the rural areas, similar to how cricket grew in popularity having been a sport limited to the elite schools in Colombo in the past".

The Golf Grass Roots initiative has already succeeded largely in Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Kandy, Diyatalawa and NuwaraEliya on a larger scale. The potential scope of golf as a career path alternative to the sport of cricket is gathering momentum globally since golf is the fastest growing sport and one of the most lucrative sports industries in the world. The promotion of junior golf needs the support of sponsors and the corporate business world which can ensure the growth and development of golf as a sport and support economic progression being a flourishing industry.