JSFA & European PGA
In January a new schools football league started in Jakarta. Superbly well conceived and organised by the Jakarta Schools Football Association (JSFA), there are about 60 teams across the age groups of under 9, 11, 13 and 15. In the U9 group there are 16 teams divided into 2 divisions after a pre-season assessment. Cocal Cola is the premier sponsor with support also from Digital 1 (cable) TV. They have a great website with reports, fixtures, league tables and photos. ( http://www.jakartafootball.com ) It is really fantastic and everybody is loving it.
Sean's team is doing exceptionally well and have won all 7 of their games so far. They have a couple of really outstanding players and it is sometimes hard to believe we are watching boys who are only 9 years old.
Great job and well done to the JSFA !
Last week saw the European Professional Golfers Association (EPGA) Tour come to Jakarta again for The Indonesain Open, co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour. Last year was the first time a EPGA Tour event was held in Indonesia and we were lucky enough to see Colin Montgomerie as well as Paul McGinley, David Howell and anumber of other top European players competing with Asia's best.
The field was not quite as strong this time but it was still a great event with a really exciting final day which turned out to be a duel between Simon Dyson and Andrew Buckle. Dyson held on under pressure to win his first EPGA title. He played superbly well from start to finish and Buckle looks like a player to watch out for in the future. Very impressive and still very young. If he hadn't had a disastrous double-par 8 on the 6th hole, he most likely would have won this event. I remember Dyson playing full-time on the asian Tour a few years ago and it was quite fitting that he should win his first EPGA title back here in Asia. I hope it gives him the confidence to go on to even better days.
The best thing about that final day for the kids (Sean & 'M5') was the 2 hour rain delay. we had clubhouse passes and for those 2 hours we were in the restaurant surrounded by the pros. The kids had a ball getting the players' autographs and Sean's England cap is now adorned with the signatures of Simon Dyson, Andrew Buckle and Asia's current top 2 players - Tongchai Jaidi and T Wiratchant. Had a bit of fun talking with the Taiwan contingent too - led by Wang Ter Chang and Lu Wei Chih.
They were all very patient and very nice with the kids. Thanks guys !
