Windy Shao

    windysjf@hotmail.com

    AFTER four dramatic qualifying rounds in a three-month program, four players, Luan Chen, Pi Siwei, Ji Jie and Liu Mengyang, clinched a victory at the Mission Hills Footgolf Championship Grand Final in Shenzhen on Monday.

    They will be given the opportunity to compete in the Footgolf World Cup 2016, to be held in Argentina.

    Luan formerly played for Geylang United and Tanjong Pagar United in Singapore’s S. League.

    “Footgolf has the same structure as golf, except you are playing with your feet. It’s great fun and requires strategy,” said Luan, who was partnered with Chinese Super League player Pi Siwei.

    Daniel Yamamoto, an official from the Argentina Footgolf Federation, attended the final. He said more than 300 players from over 30 countries will compete in the Footgolf World Cup from Jan. 6-10 in Argentina. Organizers have invited Argentinean soccer legend Diego Maradona. Lionel Messi might also be present at the World Cup.

    As the host and a traditional soccer powerhouse, Argentina is viewed as the best contender for the championship, Yamamoto said. He noted China also has a chance as footgolf is a new sport and national teams are at the same starting point.

    On Monday, 36 two-man teams battled for honors on the Pete Dye Course at Mission Hills Mid Valley. Zhang Yunlong and Hu Zhiqiang were crowned champions after the last round.

    Registered in Hong Kong in March, the China Footgolf Federation was officially established by the Mission Hills Group. It is committed to promoting and developing the sport of footgolf in China and the region.

    Mission Hills Group vice chairman Tenniel Chu presented prizes to the winners. Citing the fact that China has 26 million soccer fans, Chu said: “In a short space of time, it’s become clear that footgolf in China is here to stay.”

    Chu added that Mission Hills is committed to developing footgolf with the launch of a domestic league, the staging of international events and the creation of a permanent footgolf course open to the public all on the agenda.

    As well as the team competition, prizes were awarded to the leading individuals in the two divisions — males aged 18 and over who played from the blue tees and juniors and girls aged between 10 and 17 who played from the red tees.

    The sport has the same basic rules and concepts as golf, except players kick a soccer ball rather than use traditional clubs and golf balls.

    (From L) Pi Siwei, Ji Jie, Guangdong Golf Association chairman Xu Deli, Daniel Yamamoto, Tenniel Chu, Luan Chen and Liu Mengyang pose for a picture at Mission Hills Shenzhen on Monday.  Shao Jingfeng