Agnes Winarti , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta Thu, 08/20/2009 2:03 PM Sports Thongchai Jaidee, one of Asia’s finest golfers, made a
brief appearance at the HSBC Invitational Golf Day charity event in Halim Perdanakusuma, East Jakarta, on Wednesday. The Thai superstar arrived in a bid to help raise funds for education for children in the country’s remote eastern regions. Despite his tight tournament schedule, the inspiring golf star – who began playing at age 16 and was pro by his 30s – made himself available at a golf clinic for around 130 amateur golfers, mostly HSBC customers, during his brief visit. “I’ve worked hard at my golf career to get where I am today. My education has definitely helped me along the way. So, it means a lot for me to be here today and help raise money and awareness so that children may have better opportunities and a better life,” Jaidee, ranked 53rd in the world, said in a statement released to the media. The one-day charity tournament managed to raise US$13,000 and Rp 10.65 million ($1000) for the educational mission of the UNICEF in Indonesia. “Schools in the eastern part of Indonesia, especially in East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku and Papua, urgently need support. These are the three likely locations to receive this funding. We will soon decide on that matter,” Liem Ay Ling, chief of the private sector fund-raising effort at UNICEF, said.
Last year’s HSBC Invitational Golf Day in Indonesia raised around $14,250, which was donated to UNICEF’s training programs for teachers and facilities in 17 elementary schools in Klaten, Central Java.