Bakau New Town Lower Basic School has been chosen among schools by the Gambia Golf Association as the first school to host an academy of golf in the country.
Bakau New Town Lower Basic School Headmistress Haddy S. Njie has commended the Gambia Golf Association for taking the initiative and for also choosing their school ‘as the academy of golf’.
Mrs Njie, who was speaking at the launch of the “Golf Nets for Schools” pilot programme held at her school recently, said that as the first beneficiaries of this initiative, it was pride and prestige for such a historic event to happen in her school during her reign.
“The sport we are about to introduce in this school was seen to be a game of the rich,” she said, adding that it is new in their school system but is all geared towards promoting the game in schools and widening its reach.
She stated that it can help children to have access to effective golf thus widening the pool of future golf athletes in The Gambia.
“Today is a very important day in the history of Bakau New Town LBS and the Bakau Community at large,” she remarked, adding: “What we are witnessing will be a change in our mindset on this sport.”
She therefore counts on everyone to be bringing such rare disciplines to the doorsteps of schools.
“I affirm that introducing golf in a Lower Basic School means starting from the grassroots,” she went on, saying she has no doubt in her mind that if this trend is also introduced in other schools, “our motherland will surely have the likes of Tiger Woods”.
She added that they look forward to the day their field will be all bahama grass.
Omar Jadama, a professional golfer and manufacturer of the nets, said he had the idea long time ago and with the help of Ebrima Jawara (GGA President) his dream has now finally come true.
He stated that as Gambians they are open to everyone, noting that golf is an expensive sport but their belief is that even the poor can play it.
This is the sport they like and want Gambians to have access to, he said, adding that he is ready to even manufacture the nets if other schools and individuals are interested in it.
Pa Famara J. J. Jatta, head coach of the academy, said he was really excited about the initiative.
Teaching golf is not easy but they hope the students will cope well with them, he said.
Tijan Kuyateh, a senior professional golfer and also one of the three identified professionals to be teaching the students, said they just need to be patient in teaching the students because it is not easy working with kids.
As time goes on they hope to see a lot from the students, he added, saying they want to take golf to the doorsteps of every Gambian.
