IGU’s initiative for Golf in Schools launched by WGAI in Srinagar, J&K 

In the first ever National Initiative for Golf in Schools, the Indian Golf Union, India's apex body for golf development, is promoting a golf coaching program in Srinagar, J&K for school children from DPS and Presentation Convent. “Women's Golf Association of India is subsidizing and executing the 10 day coaching camp in the valley for all the children”, stated Champika Sayal, a golf player who started the game in Srinagar and Gulmarg in 1971.

Orientation for 54 children commenced from Monday 24th June in two batches at DPS Srinagar, which has golf academy facilities within the school premises, and Royal Springs Golf Course. Presentation Convent is being represented by 30 bright young girls between the ages of 8 to 12 years and DPS Srinagar is being represented by 23 girls and boys.

NGAI Coach  Mr Vikram Sethi, who spent his youth in Srinagar having won several major golf tournaments in the valley at Kashmir golf club in the seventies and eighties, stated "being originally from Kashmir and this being where I learnt to play golf, to come back and teach children is the most nostalgic and exhilarating experience for me. In my opinion this is the best thing that could have been done for the young children by Indian Golf Union and Women's Golf Association of India. Given the beautiful golf courses in Gulmarg, Srinagar and Pahalgam, I see a great future for golf in Kashmir provided the Tourism Department involves itself in all such programs in the future".

Women's Golf Association of India Secretary General Champika Sayal lauded the efforts of Indian Golf Union's NIGS Program, stating that "It is important for the future of girls from Jammu and Kashmir to represent the state in Golf in the coming years, and there is every effort being made by both DPS Srinagar and Presentation Convent to ensure that there are follow-up programs that get executed by WGAI in the coming months. I am duty bound to develop the game for girls in particular in Jammu and Kashmir region. Besides the wonderful courses in the valley, NIGS is proposed to be implemented at other venues in Jammu, Udhampur and Leh by 2014”. The Indian Golf Union has provided 450 Golf balls and assorted junior clubs for the on-going program.

WGAI President Kavita Singh expressed appreciation to Indian Golf Union for having WGAI as a partner in this noble initiative. Mrs Singh stated that Mrs Jyotsna Suri of Lalit Hotel, Mr Vijay Dhar, Chairman of DP Dhar Memorial Trust and Sister Jyothi, Principal of Presentation Convent have shown tremendous vision in supporting and opening the game to school children. Mrs. Kavita Singh further stated that WGAI is committing to several development programs for girls as required on an annual basis. "After the successful launch and future programs in Srinagar, we hope these very youngsters will take up golf as a career option. WGAI has donated several golf sets and 400 golf balls have been provided by K&A Golf free of cost for the program”, she informed.

Director General of the Indian Golf Union, Maj. General Abhi Parmar (Retd.) said “The Indian Golf Union (IGU), founded in 1955, is the Governing Body for golf in India.  In a bid to promote grass-roots level in India, the IGU has undertaken to initiate the NIGS - National Initiative for Golf in Schools - Program. The IGU will appoint Golf Development Volunteers who will be trained to conduct introduction-to-golf coaching programs in schools throughout India, especially in the smaller towns and mofussil areas, in association with local golf-courses.

We are happy that WGAI has decided to join the IGU in this initiative and have launched a commendable program in Srinagar. We wish both the WGAI and the Srinagar Chapter of NIGS a great success”.