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"The SIRC trophy is the most shapely golf trophy in South Asia," says SIRC Chairman Kanak Mani Dixit with a touch of humour and hyperbole, "besides helping the spinally injured and getting some exercise in the greens, the golfers are excited about vying for a trophy as attractive as this."
The trophy represents a stylised human spine, which is also the logo of the rehabilitation centre. It was shaped in glass by Crystal Galaxy in Dubai.
Suman Sachdev, director of the Gokarna Forest Golf Resort and Spa, who has taken part in golf tournaments in the subcontinent, says: "For sure this is a very innovative golf trophy, because it reflects the purpose behind the tournament. And aesthetically it is extraordinary."
Sachdev has had time to admire the travelling trophy over the past year because he himself won the SIRC Golf Tournament in 2007. Some of the others who have enjoyed the trophy over the past six years include Tashi Ghale, Eu Hazur Thapa, Tashi Lobsang and Kesang Lama.
SIRC works with spinally injured patients, most of whom are too poor to afford treatment and rehabilitation. Spinal injuries are also fatal and most patients never fully recover.
Deepak Acharya, golf instructor and Golf Director at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort and Spa, says, "Golfers require sturdy backs and those with spinal injury lose their ability to use their backs, which is why we believe it's important for this game to contribute to their treatment."
Shradha Basnyat
6th Annual SIRC Golf Tournament
27 September at Le Merdien, Gokarna
All proceeds for treatment of patients at the Spinally Injured Rehabilitation Centre
