Daily Times

Ace Junior Golf League electrifies Karachi Juniors with their Inaugural Match on Saturday 9th September 2023. The euphoria of exclusive junior golf league thrilled the junior golfers and 84 of them registered to compete, with many more expressed to join the next monthly event. It diminished the common misconception that Karachi have very few juniors to play competitive golf. It turned out that the children only need a platform to play and sharpen their skills and they will flourish. Patron in Chief, Gen. Hilal very right commented “AJGL serves as the Oxygen for Golf in Pakistan”.

To grace the occasion and encourage junior golfers, Lt. Gen Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, a golfer himself was there as chief guest. In notable guests, Mr. Khurram Khan President SGA, Brig Ahsan Masood, Convener DHA Golf Club, Ms. Humera Khalid, Member executive committee SGA, PGF and, Ms. Nida Huq, Lady Golf Captain of DHA, honoured Dr. Asma Afzal Shami with their presence.

Mr. Khurram Khan expressed that SGA is in full support for the unique initiative and would like to combine forces to make it even more successful. The chief guest, an exceptional officer himself with many medals on his chest praised the whole concept of AJGL, claiming it as the backbone for golf. He specifically admired the scientific approach to develop golf and said that the collaboration of Dr.

Asma Shami’s vision with Munazza Shaheen’s technical approach is the key factor of attaining heights that no one has ever imagined.

As for the results of this match, junior golfers exhibited their skills in an admirable fashion. The very young junior golfers age 6 to 10 in Birdie Category, competing for the first time in Karachi, did superbly well playing 9 holes. In the boys section, top 5 positions were attained by, Behzad Murtaza 39, Mustafa Maqbool 43, Mustafa Ahsan 52, Ahad Paracha 66 and Zuhair Qawi 68.

The Eagle Category of ages 10 to 14, in Girls Section, the top 4 positions were clinched by Eshaal Nawab 85, Ayesha Kashif 96, Almeerah Shaikh 103 and Amal M Shaikh Ali 107.

In the Boys Section we had Abdullah Bilal 78, Ismail Syed 79, Ayhan Azeem Chaudhry 84 and Abdul Raffay 84, topped the charts.

In the Albatross Category of ages 14 to 18, in Girls Section, the top girl was Faria Aman, playing 101. In the Boys Section, we had Hamza Azam 74, Jameel Khan 75, Abdullah Ansar 75 and Shawaiz Latki 78 were on top 4 table positions.

In the Elite Category of ages 18-21, In girls section, Abiha Syed 76 won the first position while Daniah Syed 79 came second.

In the Boys Section the top four positions were taken by Omer Khalid 68, Omer Intisar 76, Hayder Bilal 80 and Muhammad Aabis 94.

Munazza Shaheen, the Tournament Director and President AJGL narrated the exposition of the league. She explained the 3 objectives which are training, mind sciences and holding matches. Also gave the 2 principles to play i.e. on gross and play by age and how it cemented the existing structure of the league.

Dr. Asma Afzal Shami, in her speech rightly called out AJGL as Linking the Missing Link and missing link is the breeding ground and the much needed nursery for discovering, nurturing and producing nation’s future golf champions of Pakistan. She further added that AJGL is conceived, planned and executed by ladies and wholeheartedly supported by Gentlemen. She thanked the lady captain Ms.

Nida Huq for her commitment for the successful execution and her highly active role in collecting junior golfer under the flag of AJGL. Dr. Shami promised to juniors, AJGL is here to stay and will transform the future of Golf in Pakistan.