A 12-year-old girl from one of Delhi’s most challenging neighbourhoods emerged as the star attraction at the Magic Bus Charity Golf Challenge 2026 held at Sentosa Golf Club’s prestigious Serapong Course in Singapore on June 5.
While the high-profile fundraiser, which featured former Australian rugby captain George Gregan as chief guest, successfully raised about S$250,000 for underprivileged youth in India, it was the inspiring story of Jainab Javed that left many participants deeply moved.
Jainab is one of the rising stars of the Magic Bus Golf Project, an initiative launched by Magic Bus India Foundation in partnership with The R&A Foundation to introduce golf and life skills education to girls from underserved communities.
Growing up in Delhi’s Karol Bagh area, Jainab comes from a modest family. Her father runs a small grocery store and is the sole breadwinner for a household that includes her mother, two younger siblings, grandmother, aunt, and cousin.
Until recently, golf was a sport she had never even heard of.
“When I first played golf, I didn’t even know what it was,” Jainab recalled. “But, after the second session, I enjoyed it so much. We learned so many good things. One day I want people to see me and say: ‘That’s Jainab, the professional golfer!’”
Through weekly golf coaching and life skills sessions conducted by Magic Bus, Jainab has transformed from a shy and hesitant student into a confident young leader. The programme helped her develop communication skills, resilience, time management and self-belief. Her progress was evident when she finished as second runner-up in her first golf tournament.
Jainab dreams not only of becoming a professional golfer but also hopes golf will give her freedom, independence and the opportunity to explore the world. She also aspires to study psychology in the future.
Her father, Mohammad Javed, has witnessed the remarkable change in his daughter.
“Jainab was shy before, but now she talks openly, shares everything and moves ahead with confidence. We will support her in whatever she wants to do,” he said.
The young golfer made a lasting impression in Singapore. During the charity event, she joined players on the course and even achieved a hole-in-one while assisting golfers, drawing admiration from the participants.
“Seeing Jainab strike the ball at Sentosa, we saw the dream of kids coming through the programme become a reality. She did an amazing job during the event. So inspiring,” said Mr Stephen Hunt, co-founder and CEO of Aglaia Family Office.
Gregan was equally impressed.
“Jainab reminded me why sport matters beyond the scoreboard. Magic Bus isn’t just teaching children to play – it’s teaching them to lead. That’s a game-changer,” he said.
Ms Lindsay Cooper, co-founder of Chi Longevity and Arisaig Partners, described Jainab as “a testament to the effectiveness of the Magic Bus Golf Programme”.
Magic Bus founder Matthew Spacie said sport remains a powerful vehicle for social change.
“Using sport as a classroom, games are used to engage young people living in extremely tough conditions. For these children, it’s a journey from childhood all the way to adulthood with our mentors,” he said.
The funds raised at the event will support Magic Bus’s Childhood to Livelihood programme, which currently reaches around 4.5 million children and adolescents across India, said Ms Shubra Jyotsna Sarma, executive director of Magic Bus Singapore. The programme uses sport to teach life skills, improve school retention, and create pathways to employment.
For Jainab, however, the impact is already clear. What began as a chance introduction to an unfamiliar sport has become a pathway to confidence, ambition and possibility.
santosh@sph.com.sg
