Junior golf programme for Sarawak

The Malaysia Golf Association (MGA) junior development programme will be extended to schools in Sarawak next year.

This was announced by MGA president Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor during his meeting with Sarawak Golf Association (SGA) president Hoan Kee Hock at Kelab Golf Sarawak (KGS), Petra Jaya yesterday.

“We are going to extend the programme to four schools in Sarawak and it will help to promote golf among teachers and students,” he said. The programme was launched last year involving seven schools in Kuala Lumpur. MGA, Anwar added, will work closely with Ministry of Education (KPM), the state’s Education Department (JPNS) and SGA in launching the ‘Golf in Schools’ programme which is expected to be in first half of next year.

According to him, the programme has proven to be popular with both teachers and pupils in the Semenanjung because it had enabled them to take up golf – a game which many parents cannot afford to send their children for lessons.

300 primary and secondary school students participated in the programme with the highest number of 70 from SK St John, Kuala Lumpur. The first phase of the programme involved the training of selected teachers by MGA’s resident pro V. Gunalen and Jim Staereling, the education director of PGA (Professional Golf Association) of Holland .

Meanwhile, SGA’s president Hoan Kee Hock said the introduction of the programme augurs well for the development of the local golf fraternity.

According to him, golf instills good values among young people who will learn about honesty, sportsmanship and camaraderie.

“We are very happy for the programme to be extended to schools in Sarawak and SGA will work closely with MGA and State Education Department for its smooth implementation,” he added.