Top country amateur golfer Michael Karanga has found his niche in producing future golf stars by embarking on imparting his skills to school children.
The Michael Karanga Golf Foundation (MKGF), founded early 2022 through the Golf Mashinani initiative, seeks to give equal opportunity to aspiring golfers devoid of social stratification.
Today, over 400 young golfers drawn from public schools within Kiambu Sub-county enrolled for training which happens on Wednesdays and Thursdays free of charge during school holidays.
The venue is St Andrews Ndumberi Golf Course where he began his golfing career. His objective is to help others become a success and also inspire more children to learn golf.
He said that apart from the game, he has started an initiative to provide books and other school essentials like pens, pencils and mathematical sets, among other basics to encourage them to excel in academics.
“I always say that golf and education go hand in hand and I have started to give school essentials to the young golfers as I realized some come from under-privileged backgrounds and it has helped a lot improve the children’s education,” he said.
He revealed that the children are trained by certified trainers and called upon well-wishers to support the foundation by donating more golf clubs and balls so that children do not have to share.
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Peter Njinu, the children’s coach, said he is amazed by the response and would want the sport taken to schools for continuity.
“We want the sport to be taken to schools since we only train the children when they close school and some forget the skills,” he said.
George Maara, a sponsor of the children, said the initiative has gone a long way in motivating them and also giving them a sense of belonging, which should be encouraged by leaders.
Lawrence Ndung’u, Kiambu Golf Club manager, said the club has opened doors for school children and public to be playing golf for free as a way of giving back to society.
David Ndirangu, a Kiambu Golf Club life member, said leaders should take care of the golf courses in the country for posterity.
“We want our children to start playing golf and there is a need for the courses to be protected by our leaders. The golf sport will give our children discipline and no child should be charged to play,” Ndirangu said.
Eddy Mararo, a Grade 7 pupil at Riabai Primary School, said they are excited to be given an opportunity to play golf inside the club.
His secondary school counterpart Alicia Wanjiku encouraged other students to join and be positively engaged during their school holidays, lauding the foundation for its charitable funding of children from poor backgrounds.
“We are also mentored by various experts regarding school work, and we even learn life skills and it is a worthwhile experience,” she said.
By Felix Wanderi
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