The Captain One Golf Society has launched the Kids Project at the Royal Golf Club in Kumasi, from which 20 vulnerable girls will be trained in the game of golf.

The project would focus on nurturing golf talents in the country while ensuring that golf is introduced to everyone across the country.

The girls who are below the age sixteen are scheduled to undergo months of training by professional golfers in this special initiative by Captain One Golf Society.

The beneficiaries were selected from Safe-Child Advocacy, a non-governmental organisation - an establishment of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi - that is concerned about the plight of the vulnerable in the society and children who work on the streets.

President of the Captain One Golf Society, Pius Ayeh Appiah expressed excitement over the event.

“What Captain One always wanted to do was to bring golf to everyone, especially children so they would capture the interest from the beginning and grow to become professionals.”

The move, he said, is also to demystify the idea that golf belonged to the elite in society because the Kids Project offers the opportunity for children from different backgrounds to play.

“It would provide another avenue for kids to explore in terms of career choice and I urge other associations to take up the challenge of introducing their sports to the less privileged so they get the exposure,” Mr Aryeh Appiah added.

The Kumasi KIDS Project is partnering with the Royal Golf Club to train the beneficiaries on its course.

At the launch of the project in Kumasi, Executive Committee member of the Royal Golf Club, Mark Tweneboah, reiterated the importance of training new pool of talents for the future of the game.

“…we are glad to have you here. Development of talents in golf is our priority. We will entreat you to have fun, explore the course and make sure your talents are developed. In a few years to come, we will be glad to see these talents competing at the national level.”

Competition Secretary, Solomon Harvey advised the girls to put in all the necessary efforts to be better at the sport.

“We provide teachings, select two or three days in a week applicable to both parties. We are ready to cater for all your expenses, we will make sure we train you in all aspect of the game. We encourage all of you to put in the effort. If you put in more time, it will reflect in your work.

Mr Harvey mentioned plans to launch the project across all the regions and train kids across the country to play the game of golf.

“In January, we will be organising our own tournament which will include the kids. Golf trains you to be punctual to time. We also get health benefits when we play golf. We will support you.”

Two professional golfers from the Royal Golf Club - Yaw Barima Okeye and Maxwell Owusu Bonsu – will be training the girls for the project.

After the launch, the girls were taken through the basics of what golf entails and the equipment used and other beginner rules.

The partnership between Safe-Child Advocacy and Captain One Golf Society to train the less privileged in playing golf is the second by the society.

Angel of Hope Orphanage in Tarkwa, is the first beneficiary facility of this initiative.

Administrator of Safe-Child Advocacy, Akwasi Prempeh is positive the project will go a long way to offer life-changing opportunities for the girls.

“We all know that Golf is a game for the elite. We wish to express our deepest gratitude to Captain One Golf Society for counting us worthy to select us Safe-Child Advocacy out of the numerous organisations in Ashanti region to benefit from such an eminent support that seek to empower vulnerable and needy children to break the cycle of poverty for total liberation to attain higher heights and build a better future for themselves and their generation yet-unborn.

He continued that, “…It is our prayer and hope that this beautiful partnership between us will not end anytime soon, but go a long way to offer vulnerable children an opportunity to change their stories whiles they enjoy their right to play. We thank you for this opportunity and we say God bless.”

Meanwhile, officials are calling on corporate entities to come on board to support the initiative as it would go a long way to develop great golfers.

About Safe-Child Advocacy
Started in 2005, it has supported vulnerable children towards reintegration and rehabilitation, whiles providing support services to empower women for economic independent.

It operates a residential vocational training centre, and a safe space for girls formally on the streets, those at risk of going into the streets and victims of child trafficking.

About 1000 vulnerable children have been supported through sponsorship and skill development in Ashanti and Northern Ghana.

Currently, it has close to 500 beneficiaries within Kumasi and northern Ghana. It is managed by the Daughters’ of Charity of St Vincent de Paul – a female religious congregation of catholic sisters.