Training to help less-privileged golfers

GURGAON: The Ministry of Tourism and Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI), on Monday, launched India's first ever joint programme to create job opportunities for the less privileged section of society.
Launched at the DLF Golf Course, the "Incredible India Golf Caddy Training Programme" is a part of the Ministry's "Hunar se Rozgaar" campaign and aims at skill development of aspiring golf assistants.
"Anyone who has an eye for the game and is interested in making a career in golf, is welcome to be a part the 'Incredible India Golf Caddy Training Program'. Our objective is to make these unskilled and less educated people employable and have a respectable career," said Champika Sayal, secretary general, Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI).
The program will identify prospective candidates who will undergo an extensive six weeks training programme on various aspects of golf.
"Once we have 200-300 well trained caddies, we'll have a data bank of their information on the web via which those in need of caddies can contact the golf assistants," Kavita Singh, President, WGAI.
The candidates need to have minimum education till class eight and should be between the ages of 18 and 28. Each trainee will be paid a stipend of Rs 1500 and will be given a tool kit and uniform. The DLF golf club has volunteered to train the women golf assistants while the Qutub Golf Club will train their male counterparts. "Initially, about 500 of them will be employed. Bangalore and Jammu and Kashmir already require employees," said Sanjay Kothari, special secretary, Ministry of Tourism.
"I am very excited and can't wait for the training to begin," said Poonam, a golf trainee. Another trainee, Munmun Bara, a 21-year-old Delhi University student, said, ""I've always been athletic and often saw people playing golf. I became curious and thought I can learn this, and become a professional."
Her father, S L Bara, a hockey player, said, "I would have asked her to pursue hockey but it is a long forgotten game. With golf, she will be a part of the foundation of women's golf in India."