Dubai: The prospect of seeing a homegrown golfer from the UAE making it on the world stage is edging closer thanks to the ongoing success of the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF) Arabic Schools Initiative.
The programme, funded by DP World and supported by the European Tour, launched last year.
The first phase saw the EGF, with the assistance of Golf DXB, visiting six schools to give taster sessions to more than 3,000 students.
Fifty children were also treated to a visit to the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, where they had a “behind the scenes” tour.
During the introductory phase, 100 children became hooked enough to take up memberships at local clubs. The influx prompted the EGF to create four foundation squads at Dubai Creek, Emirates, Meydan, Sharjah and Al Ain golf clubs.
In addition to their ongoing development at local clubs, the foundation squads, made up of 40 children, along with the UAE national team, are to have access once a month to DP World-funded coaching sessions at the European Tour Performance Institute (ETPI) at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The ETPI is one of only two such facilities in the world and home of the most cutting edge equipment available.
It also boasts a team of world-class coaches who will aim to get foundation squad players into the UAE national team within 12-18 months.
Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, DP World group chairman and chief executive officer, said: “We are delighted to be able to support this major initiative and to play a part in the development of our UAE national team. Supporting grassroots golf is central to our involvement in the sport and something we care very passionately about. The growth of the game in the region is extremely important to us and giving local golfers access to facilities such as the world-renowned ETPI offers them the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”
Adel Zarouni, EGF vice-chairman, added: “With the support of DP World, the EGF has been able to see rapid growth at the grassroots level which is pushing the National Junior Development Programme. With a successful EGF Arabic Schools Golf Initiative over the last year and a half, the EGF is excited to reach the next step of our programme by creating the UAE foundation squads. Again, with the passion and support from DP World devoted to the foundation squads, we are excited to see our young boys and girls enhance their golf game by using the ETPI for elite training and player analysis”
Nick Tarratt director of the European Tour’s international Dubai office, said: “The European Tour is delighted to be joining DP World in supporting this forward-thinking initiative which is a shining example of joined up thinking between stakeholders in the local golf community. Last year’s introductory phase was an overwhelming success, resulting in a huge influx of local schoolchildren taking up the sport of golf. It will be fascinating to see how the youngsters who have joined the foundation squads progress in the next phase of their development under the guidance of the EGF, the local golf clubs, and the wonderful coaches at the ETPI. Children are the key to the future of the game at all levels and initiatives like this are crucial in ensuring golf’s continued growth here in the UAE and around the world.”