Srinagar, Oct 19 (ANI): A golf coaching camp has been organised for the first time in Srinagar.

The State Tourism Department, in association with the Professional Golf Association of India, organised the camp for the age group of 7-17 years. The camp will open till October 25.

Scores of young persons turned up at the Royal Spring Golf Course to register themselves for the eight-day camp, which is free.

According to the State Tourism Ministry, the aim is to produce golf champions from Kashmir.

“Twice a year, we will provide golf coaching to the children. Professional coaches will come and train the children. We hope, in future, Kashmir produces some champions,” said Nawang Ringzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture, Jammu and Kashmir.

The golf lessons are being imparted by Ramit Bose, certified professional coach from Indian National Golf Academy (INGA).

He said that such camps would prepare the children for the forthcoming 2016 Olympic Games, scheduled to be held in Brazil.

“It holds good for Kashmir because we also now have Olympics in 2016 and 2020. The child who is about nine to ten years today has a chance to represent the country in Olympics in the next ten years. So that is why we have started this,” said Bose.

Children of both the government schools and the elite schools attended the camp.

“After so many years, we have got the opportunity to learn golf. Earlier, there wasn’t anything like this. So these people have called coaches from outside the state who can teach us golf,” said Fakhur-ul-Nisa, a participant.

The participants will be awarded certificates by the State Tourism Minister, Nawang Rigzin Jora, who will be the chief guest at prize distribution ceremony on October 25.

Kashmir is famous for its beauty as well as its rich heritage for being the ‘Mecca’ of Indian golfers. The valley offers outstanding opportunities for golf players throughout the summer season.

Srinagar has an 18 hole golf course with common fairways.

The Tourism Department has been regularly conducting sports activities in Kashmir valley in order to promote sports tourism in the valley. (ANI)