| Lyna Mohamad |
A MEMORANDUM of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday between the Korea Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) and the Brunei Darussalam Golf Association (BDGA), at the Radisson Hotel in the capital.
Signing on behalf of the BDGA was the President, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha bin Pengiran Metassan, while the KLPGA was represented by its Chairman, Kang Chunja.
Prior to the signing, Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha made a welcoming speech, thanking the KLPGA for helping to promote Brunei tourism through golfing activities.
“This will be beneficial to the BDGA, in expanding its international cooperative network,” he said.
The signing was broadcast live on South Korean television, which is hoped to attract more Koreans to Brunei.
Meanwhile, various tourism sectors will assist the BDGA on how to conduct publicity and marketing for its activities.
In her corresponding remarks, Kang Chunja expressed the hope that this agreement would establish a solid foundation for a favourable relationship between the BDGA and KLPGA.
The MoU will place Brunei Darussalam as the third overseas destination for the KLPGA tour.
Later, Kang, the first female professional golfer in South Korea and founder of the KLPGA, told the Bulletin that this was the first time they had ever held a tournament in Brunei. “We had plenty of opportunities to open tournaments in Taiwan, China and Vietnam, but this is an entirely new market, so it has an important meaning for us,” she said.
“The biggest hope for the MoU is the development the golfing industry in Brunei and South Korea, with more favourable connections between the BDGA and KLPGA.”
Haji Mohd Said bin Yaakub, the Secretary General of the BDGA, said that as one of associations registered under the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council, their main mission is to promote and to develop the sport of golf in Brunei.
“Insya Allah, we will try to see if we can get our youths to be involved in golf, through engagement and exposure in caddie activities,” he said.
Co-sanctioned by the KLPGA and BDGA with their local partner Kor Bru Sdn Bhd, the country will become part of KLPGA’s regular competition season for 2018, with the tournament to held on March 17-19, 2018, with the total prize money of 700 million Won (approximately B$850,000).
Additionally, the MoU will also lend more importance to the KLPGA’s future engagements with the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, in terms of boosting sports tourism for the Sultanate.
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