Windy Shao

    windysjf@hotmail.com

    CHINESE national footgolf team players Luan Chen, Ji Jie, Liu Mengyang and Zhang Yunlong said yesterday they are full of confidence about their debut at the second edition of the Footgolf World Cup in Argentina from Jan. 6 to 10.

    Luan, a former soccer player who played for Geylang United and Tanjong Pagar United in Singapore’s S. League, displayed his ability during this year’s inaugural Mission Hills Footgolf Championship.

    Luan said at a news conference at Mission Hills yesterday that the team has been practicing three times to five times a week over the past months. They also studied videos of other national teams’ performances on the course.

    Three of the team members are former soccer players with Liu as the only former golf player. “I know more about the course and can share my experience with my teammates,” Liu said.

    More than 300 players, representing 30 countries and regions, will be vying for glory at the World Cup.

    Alfredo Carlos Bascou, minister and deputy director of the Embassy of Argentina in China, said his country is excited about hosting the Footgolf World Cup and believes the tournament presents the chance to develop the game in China and globally.

    He said: “Footgolf is an official sport in Argentina recognized by the Argentinean Sports Federation.

    “Participating in the World Cup in Argentina will be an excellent opportunity for China to promote footgolf in its own country. The role of the federation [in China] is very important and the role of the government in supporting the federation is very important also.”

    Registered in Hong Kong in March, the China Footgolf Federation was officially established by the Mission Hills Group. As Asia’s first footgolf federation, it is committed to promoting and developing the new sport in China and the region.

    Tenniel Chu, Mission Hills Group vice chairman, said: “We wish the China team well as it embarks on its World Cup mission. A strong performance in Argentina will certainly help to build further momentum for footgolf here in China.”

    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.

    Chu said: “We have seen that soccer and golf can be perfectly combined into an enjoyable pastime for players and fans alike. As a new and exciting sport, footgolf can introduce even more people to golf.”

    Mission Hills has staged five footgolf championships since June. In October, Mission Hills opened a public footgolf course. Green fees are priced at a 100 yuan (US$15) for nine holes and 180 yuan for 18 holes — considerably lower than the costs for a round of golf.

    A recent survey of footgolf facilities conducted by the American Footgolf League revealed the new sport is generating millions of dollars in new revenue for courses installing footgolf facilities.