Young Emirati golfers teed up for big stage

Global trade enabler DP World has announced its renewed partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), as it continues to support the growth of golf by investing in grassroots talent development as well as the elite game, paving the way for aspiring youngsters to become future international stars.

The announcement signals the fourth year that funding from DP World has been used by the EGF to open up golf to new audiences. Through DP World’s global partnership with the European Tour investment has been channelled into a number of EGF programs.

Underpinning this is an innovation that started over 18 months ago with Ministry of Education (MoE) which has engaged 6,000 school kids with orientation and golf tasters with 22 different schools at eight different local golf clubs, across five emirates.

In addition, weekly sessions now provide over 300 aspiring young golfers with ongoing training and coaching.

The success of the programs is a source of pride for DP World. As global trade and digitally driven logistics provider it is committed to instilling a culture of health and wellbeing across its network with over 150 operations in over 40 countries and believes that golf is the perfect sport to do it.

“One of the main objectives of our golf platform is to encourage people from all over the country to get involved in the game. We want to continue to inspire people, through both the DP World Tour Championship and these grassroots initiatives, to become more mindful of their own health and wellness” said Daniel Van Otterdijk, SVP Group Communications.

“I’ve seen firsthand how much impact our partnership with the EGF has. It is fantastic to watch children of all ages, abilities and genders out there playing and enjoying a sport that means so much to DP World.”

Robert Fiala, Operations Manager at Emirates Golf Federation added: “The EGF has not only introduced young players to the game, but it has enabled them to grow as people, learn important life skills and develop discipline and values.

“We are immensely proud of our programs and our people and we know that none of this would be possible without the support we get from DP World and our other strategic partners.”

Since its formation, the EGF has produced players that have represented the UAE at the Youth Olympics, Asian Games, World Amateur Team Championships as well as the Pan Arab and GCC Golf Championships.

A development pathway now exists including in-school golf tasters, weekly training lessons at golf clubs, a foundation squad with competition experience and a national squad for the best talent with local and international tournament access.