Children in Ndumberi village, Kiambu Sub County, recently received a significant boost in educational resources, thanks to the efforts of Kenya’s leading amateur golfer, Michael Karanga.
According to Kenya News Agency, Karanga, through his foundation and with the support of other benefactors, distributed school learning materials, including books, pencils, rulers, and sharpeners, valued at Sh170,000 to over 300 local schoolchildren. During the distribution event, Karanga expressed the foundation’s commitment to fostering education and supporting needy students, not only academically but also in sports.
In addition to educational support, Karanga has been actively involved in nurturing golf talents in his community. He offers free golf lessons to primary and secondary school students from his village and neighboring areas, aiming to inspire a new generation of golfers. Citing his position as Kenya’s top amateur golfer and the potential to discover talents like Tiger Woods from his village, Karanga has already enrolled over 200 children in his free golf program.
Karanga emphasized the need for schools to incorporate golf into their sports curriculum, noting that his lessons are currently limited to Wednesdays and Thursdays when schools are closed. He expressed a desire to see continuous golf training in schools to ensure the sport’s development.
Local residents and students have lauded Karanga’s efforts. James Gaitho, a resident, highlighted the excitement among children for golf, a sport typically considered exclusive and expensive. Annette Wairimu, a student participant, noted that the program offers more than just golf training, including counseling on morals and school work. Peter Njinu, the children’s coach, praised the dedication of the young trainees and expressed hope for golf’s inclusion in school sports programs.
Karanga’s foundation is advocating for collaboration between the Ministry of Sports and the Ministry of Education to introduce golf in schools. His commitment extends beyond his community; he is set to represent Kenya in a golf tournament in Florida, USA, and is optimistic about his chances in the upcoming Magical Kenya Open Golf Tournament.
