Vital to encourage golfers for promotion of game: Alvi

President says he is fond of Golf and finds it a ‘very fascinating’ game

President Dr Arif Alvi on Sunday said that it was essential to encourage the golfers for promotion of the game as well as better representation of the country abroad.

Addressing as chief guest at a prize distribution ceremony of the 47th Pakistan Open Golf Championship, the president said that he, himself, being fond of the golf, found it a "very fascinating" game.

He congratulated winners of the championship, saying it required dedication and craze to achieve excellence in any game.

He said due to immense passion, Pakistan produced world class hockey and squash players in the past despite lack of facilities and resources.

He said better green levelling of golf courses could also attract tourists as people travelled to Thailand and Dubai to enjoy the game.

The president told the audience that he played 18-holes in Margallah Golf Club and preferred to walk instead of availing the cart.

He said it was impressive to know that Pakistan had around 15,000 golfers and 48 golf courses. However, the game could be well promoted through better facilities at the courses like sprinkle irrigation using treated waste water and better levelling.

The president also lauded the idea of introducing golf facilities for children and women and recalled that he had also bought a golf set for his kids to inculcate the game's passion in them.

The president started his address by advising people to continue adhering to the anti-Covid precautions. “Statistics and graphs reveal that the second coronavirus wave is surging more consistently and looks more dangerous too. Therefore, the people must not give up precautions of wearing mask and maintaining social distancing.”

Earlier, the president distributed awards among the winners. (With additional input from APP)