Dubai: Young Afghan golfer Hasmattullah Sawaree, the star of a CNN documentary which portrayed the challenges of growing the game in the war-torn country finally got his chance to meet Tiger Woods yesterday at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
Hashmattullah along with fellow player Mohammad Omer Safi and coach Mohammad Afzal Abdul met Woods at his clinic yesterday evening where they presented him with gifts from the Afghanistan Olympic Association and golfing federation. He also invited Woods to Afghanistan to visit the nine-hole golf course upon which Hashmattullah is learning to play.
‘Excited for weeks'
The course is a mixture of dirt, mud and stones and requires a tee on every shot. It used to be a mine-field and the clubhouse was blown-up by a bomb.
Hasmattullah said, "I am very proud to have met Tiger even though it was just for a very short time I understand. I have been excited about this for weeks."
"We have asked Tiger Woods, Golf in Dubai and the European Tour if they can help us. If it is nine holes on grass it would be better for us — we have potential of players but not the resources," said Safi.
"We have more than 100 players 30-40 play regularly under the coaching of Mr Afzal. We play every Friday but have a gap of three months where we can't play because of the cold. In the snow we play with orange balls."
Safi explained Hashmattullah's handicap is eight but with a better course and equipment this would improve.
