PETALING JAYA: Perbadanan Padang Golf Subang (PPGS) in collaboration with the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) hosted the inaugural Golf Fore Autism Charity Tournament 2023 and the Golf Fore Autism Clinic at Kelab Golf Negara Subang recently.
A total of 48 participants competed in the tournament, while 10 children with autism took part in the golf clinic by MYGM Academy and PPGS, which is a statutory body under the Youth and Sports Ministry.
MST Golf Berhad sponsored the prizes while Frasier & Neave (F&N) sponsored isotonic drinks and mineral water for players and children.
The programme was supported and sanctioned by the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) and Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA). MALGA also donated more than 200 junior golf iron clubs to PPGS for this programme and junior golf development programme.
PPGS CEO Megat Mohd Shahrin B Dato' Mohamed Hamdan said he hopes to get support from the ministry as well as sponsors to help NASOM make this programme successful .
"Golf Fore Autism is an initiative by PPGS and it is a first in Malaysia under the ministry. This programme will start early 2024 and aims to help many children with autism along with their parents. It is in line with the minister's mission to make golf more accessible to the public."
"While this programme's main purpose is to help the children, it also creates an additional pool of golf talent that may have been overlooked. We may find potential talents from this pool to become elite amateur or professional golfers, as the game of golf fits their motor skills and focus intensity. More importantly, we hope the children will be able to enjoy their time and benefit from this."
"This is a good programme. Malaysia is now more aware of autism or ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) but we still need to continue to educate the public and have greater exposure. NASOM will continue its work but hopes to get further support from the ministry and sponsors from the private sector," said Megat.