Sri Lanka Golf (SLG) has embarked on their third edition of the Future Lions Golf program that will see children aged between 9 and 12 being introduced to golf.
The program will have a large number of children at grass root level given the opportunity to develop their skills and pursue their passion in this world acclaimed sport.
To help with this program HSBC has come forward as their main sponsor with support also coming in from MAS who will supply shirts and Olu the mineral water supplier. The launch of the third edition took place at the RCGC on Thursday (18).
Several of the children who participated in the previous two programs have gone on to be part of the national junior squad and gone further by competing in several local and international tournaments as a national junior golfer.
This third edition will reach out for more junior golfers involved in five leading golf clubs like Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, Victoria Golf Club Digana, Eagles’ Heritage Golf Club in Anuradhapura, Catalina Golf Club Koggala and the Royal Colombo Golf Club.
They will be coached by experienced golf professionals who will touch on all skills of the game.
Many talented golfers emerged from the Anuradhapura district even at the junior level, some of whom have gone on to represent the country at junior international tournaments.
This third edition will be held between May and July and schools from around the outstation and golf clubs will be notified on the dates.
“The HSBC Future Lions Golf grassroots program was instrumental in introducing golf to over 1200 children across many centres from 2017 to 2023.
“Out of these we have had over 50 new junior players who took part at national level golf events. We look forward to once again extending the future Lions program to boys and girls across five locations and help them become champion golfers of the future,” said Niloo Jayathilaka the chairperson of the Junior Golf Development Sub-Committee.
Ranil Pieris the president of Sri Lanka Golf said that in the next couple of years they are focusing on sending these young golfers to regular tournament so that they can obtain WAGA ranking points. They also hope to conduct tournaments monthly and the junior Open Match Play events more often.
“We also want to conduct the 133rd Amateur Golf Championship once again. We want to invite players from India, Pakistan and Nepal too and it would cost a lot of money. We also want to conduct the Sri Lanka Open on par with the PGTI Calendar just like the Indian competition,” said Pieris.
The CEO of HSBC Mark Surgenor said that they sponsor many sports around the world as they see the benefits that sports bring to the people.
“Sports bring people together, teaches skills and especially golf teaches how to manage mental stress, hand-eye coordination, teaches rules and discipline and this is why we are so keen to support sports,” said Surgenor.
