The SAI Golf Academy was formally inaugurated by Minister of State for Sports (independent charge) Sarbananda Sonowal at the Trivandrum Golf Course here on Monday.

The Minister said the golf academy, the first of its kind in the State and second in the country, was a big step towards making the elite game of golf popular among the middle class. The academy will train 20 budding golfers.

Sports university

The Minister thanked the State government for leasing out the golf course to SAI. Mr. Sonowal said the Union government would consider the Kerala government’s request to start a sports university in the State. The Union Minister also released the logo of the SAI Golf Academy at the function.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the newly constituted SAI Golf Club at the same function. Mr. Chandy said it gave him immense satisfaction to see a world-class academy functioning in the State. He added that he had no hesitation in accepting the proposal from SAI when it was first presented before him by SAI DG Jiji Thompson. The logo of the club was also released by the Chief Minister.

Chief Secretary E.K. Bharat Bhushan handed over the lease deed to Jiji Thompson, who, in his introductory speech, said SAI would have tie-ups with renowned golf clubs around the world to train golfers in the State. Mr. Thompson said the Arnold Palmer Foundation would oversee the design of the golf club.