Kilinochchi Central College embraces golf

• Taking golf to grass roots – a junior golf initiative

Sri Lanka Golf Union the governing body of golf in Sri Lanka taking forward the initiative of creating golf awareness throughout the country, took another step forward with the Sri Lanka Golf Junior Sub-Committee represented by enthusiastic committed committee members Chandana Weerasinghe and Niloo Jayathilake, made the long journey to the northern region of Sri Lanka and introduced a golf awareness talent search program at the Kilinochchi 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. 40 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. 20 children were selected to be trained under a structured coaching program for one year. 

The Kilinochchi Central College School Principal embraced the offer by Sri Lanka Golf to introduce golf to the students and appreciated the ‘Golf outreach program for Junior Golf development’ supported by R & A the world governing body for golf.

Junior Golf Committee Chairperson Niloo Jayathilake said, “It was emotional and encouraging 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 Grassroots Program.” “Our vision at Sri Lanka Golf is that we wish to take golf to the grassroots throughout the country, with a view to making the sport of golf 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 Grassroots initiative has already succeeded largely in Anuradhapura, Hambantota, Kandy, Diyatalawa, whilst Nuwara Eliya Golf Club continues junior golf development among students in the nearby schools 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 in the world, being 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 island-wide since the sport of golf is a flourishing industry especially in the south Asian region.