Children between the ages of 9 to 12 will get the opportunity to learn and play the prestigious game of golf when Sri Lanka Golf (SLG) conducts a coaching clinic from February 24 to April 9. This program, named ‘Future Lions’, will provide coaching so that the players can develop their skills and pursue with the sport.
“HSBC has come forward to support this program that is meant to develop golf players from grass root level with the ultimate goal of developing medal winners for Sri Lanka in the future”, said Michael Perera Magala the president of SLG.
The first of this program was held in 2017 with only 100 kids attending the course. Some of them have elevated their standard to national level as they are now participating in tournaments conducted by SLG.
This year SLG intends to attract about 700 beginners and will conduct the lessons in six venues throughout the country according to Niloo Jayathilaka, the chairperson of the development committee.
She hopes to attract more girls into the program so that they can get an equal opportunity to develop in golf and represent the country some day. About 50 of these golfers will be selected and trained until August so that they will be ready to participate in tournaments conducted locally.
“It’s been a long time since a woman won a medal for Sri Lanka in a foreign competition besides representing the country,” said Jayathilaka.
“We are looking forward to obtaining the support of the NOC of Sri Lanka and clubs to get the girls too to be recognized equally.
“We also hope to get them to participate in ranking tournaments in the country this year in about eight months time,” added Jayathilaka.
Mark Surgenor the CEO of HSBC in Sri Lanka and the Maldives also attended this media briefing that was held at the RCGC on Wednesday (1). He said that he was excited to sponsor the ‘Future Lions’ program.
“We have been sponsoring golfing events for a number of years globally. The HSBC Future Lions Golf program is committed to grow the game in Sri Lanka and provide the younger generation with an opportunity to develop their skills and pursue their passion for the sport,” said Surgenor.
This training program will be held in six venues throughout the country. They are at golf courses that have nine of 18 holes and are at Shangri-La Golf Resort in Hambantota, Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, Victoria Golf Resort in Kandy, Eagles Heritage Golf Club in Anuradhapura, Eagles Links in Trincomalee and the Royal Colombo Golf Club in Colombo.
These young golfers will be coached by a panel of elite coaches picked by SLG. They will be trained in all aspects of the game until near perfection is reached during the two weeks of training.