Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-23 16:49:33
In a global sporting landscape where golf has struggled to compete, Kenya is defying the odds by experiencing a growth spurt in the sport. This growth began three years ago when the Magical Kenya Open joined the DP World Tour. The title sponsor, DP World, has played a significant role in this development and has recently donated the ‘DP World Container 3.0’ to Kenya’s Junior Golf Federation (JGF).
JGF president, Regina Gachora, expressed gratitude for the impact that DP World initiatives have had on the growth of golf in Kenya. She mentioned that over the past two years, the number of kids playing golf has doubled, thanks to the support from DP World. The JGF has gone from having zero coaches to 100 coaches from across the country, as well as distributing about 200 golf sets, with an additional 15 sets donated by DP World.
The ‘DP World Container 3.0’ is an upgrade from the previous ‘DP World second-life container, which collected over 280,000 balls for grassroots golf worldwide. The 24,000 balls received have been distributed to 30 golf clubs all over the country, as confirmed by Gachora. Some of the Federation’s early graduates, such as 23-year-old twins Mutahi and Njoroge Kibugu, are already making a name for themselves in the sport, with Mutahi even making the cut at last year’s Kenya Open.
Mutahi Kibugu emphasized the importance of junior golf in Kenya, noting that although golf has always been popular in the country, the lack of facilities has been a barrier to reaching its full potential. Through initiatives like the DP World Container donations, more kids are being exposed to golf as a viable sport alongside traditional favorites like football and athletics. Gachora echoed this sentiment, encouraging youth to consider golf as one of their top five sports to play.
The ‘DP World Container 3.0’ serves as a hub for golf equipment, including balls, clubs, clothing, and swing nets, and will be donated to other emerging golf centers worldwide. This initiative not only supports the growth of golf in Kenya but also aims to expand opportunities for young golf enthusiasts in other countries. Kenya’s success in developing the sport serves as a beacon of hope for golf’s future on the global stage.
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