Adithya wins HSBC Future Lion Junior Golf Award

Chairperson Junior Sub committee, Niloo Jayathilake, Adithya Weerasinghe, CEO, HSBC, Sri Lanka, Mark Surgenor, President, and Sri Lanka Golf, Ranil Peiris

The Junior Golf Development Sub Committee hosted the ‘best of the best’ of junior golfers at the HSBC Future Lions Golf awards in partnership with HSBC and Sri Lanka Golf on 23 May. The event was attended by Mark Surgenor, CEO of HSBC Sri Lanka, Ranil Peiris, President of Sri Lanka Golf, Niloo Jayatilake, Chairperson of the Junior Golf subcommittee, parents, and junior golfers from four academies, among other invitees. 

The HSBC Future Lions Golf grassroots programme which was inaugurated in 2017 as an ambitious effort to grow the game of golf among young Sri Lankans, is now the main platform for emerging talent across the island. Over 2,000 boys and girls have been introduced to the game over this period, with over 600 junior golfers having gone through further advance training over 6-12 months at the respective academies. 

A rising star – Adithya Weerasinghe, a junior Golfer originating from Anuradhapura, discovered through the programme was recognised as the winner of the ‘best of the best’ national level. Adithya has risen to national level and represents Sri Lanka and has participated in international tournaments in India and Hongkong. 

In its third edition, HSBC Future Lions has introduced the game to over 300 boys and girls from the ages of 9-12 years who’ve not only shown promise on the green, but also demonstrated the values of discipline, sportsmanship, and dedication. The programme continues to provide access, training, and recognition to junior golfers from all backgrounds including those from remote regions like Anuradhapura, Kandy, Nuwaraeliya, and Welisara golf academies supported by Sri Lanka Golf. HSBC is a global supporter of golf and has been running similar grassroots junior Golf programmes worldwide. (SJ)