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ASEAN Golf Federation formed to boost game in the region

Dr Ong Leong Boon has been appointed as the first president of the ASEAN Golf Federation (AGF).

The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) took the initiative to form the new federation with the aim of strengthening and streamlining the activities of golf's governing bodies in the ASEAN region.

The meeting at which the AGF was formed took place at the Royal Johor Country Club and was attended by presidents and secretary-generals of the golf associations from Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and hosts Malaysia.

HRH Tunku Abdul Majid, president of the MGA, said: "There is no such body looking after the interest of the game in ASEAN. Each of us works independently and I hope with this formation we will be able to help each other in all matters pertaining to golf.

"For those unable to attend the meeting, we will send an official invite to join the federation's membership and we hope all the governing bodies in ASEAN would be able to join hands and work together towards the betterment of golf in the ASEAN region."

Tunku Abdul Majid urged the delegates to propose views and ways so that this idea would not die a natural death and the AGF would be an organisation that is recognised and respected by the golfing population at large.

The meeting agreed that the MGA will be the secretariat of the federation while the president will be automatically selected based on the Putra Cup rotation venue.

As such, the pro-tem president of the AGF will be Dr Ong, president of the Singapore Golf Association. Singapore is the host venue of this year's Putra Cup that will take place at the Singapore Island Country Club from August 26-69.

Dr Ong will chair the AGF for one month after which the position will be assumed by the president of the Thailand Golf Association.

August 12, 2008