IGU focusses on growing golf, creating greater opportunities

Indian Golf Union director-general Bibhuti Bhushan (from left), CPG master trainer Jim Van, IGU president Brijinder Singh, Hero Indian Open committee chairman S.K. Sharma and NGAI in-charge Manav Das at a recent media interaction. Image courtesy IGU.

By Rahul Banerji

Buoyed by the recent performances of its young amateurs, the Indian Golf Union has spread its activities to ‘training the trainers’ and ‘growing the game’.

Support from the sports ministry, with preparations for international events like the Olympics and Asian Games receiving generous funding, has also been a big boost for the nodal body for amateur golf in the country.

The IGU, an affiliate member of the Confederation of Professional Golf, an association of national PGAs, has through its National Golf Academy of India also brought in an international trainer to help update and upgrade its teaching professionals and coaches.

The IGU also has the active support of the Royal and Ancient, the world’s governing body for golf, to grow the game via programmes across the country, including the North-East.

“We have spent more than a year in creating a base and raising funds, and are in the process of getting more funds through sponsors and through activities like creating an Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL),” IGU president Brijinder Singh, said at a recent media interaction.

“Time and again, we have been told at international meetings how the fraternity looks at India to grow the game in the region.

Upward swing

“We have the numbers, we have a coaches certification system and now with programmes to ‘teach our teachers’ and getting more people to play the game, we are hopeful in the next few years, India will be a golfing force.

“Our aim is to get golf into events like ‘Khelo India Games’ and to make golf part of the curriculum in schools. To that end we have had great feedback and institutions are open to the idea.”

The IGU revealed that the CPG has sent invited a master trainer for coaches, assistant teachers and officials for a three-day workshop which concluded on Monday.

This is one of the biggest programmes undertaken by the NGAI, which the IGU set up almost two decades ago and is now guided by former India golfer, Manav Das.

Added S.K. Sharma, chairman of the Hero Indian Open, “These steps will ensure that youngsters get opportunities on their home turf. Young golfers often have to come to bigger cities like Delhi, and Chandigarh and the same is the case in Southern India and other parts.

Localising facilities

“We want them to have coaches near their homes. We must get courses to give us facilities and once we have more quality coaches through interactions with CPG, the game will grow and that could be a game changer.”

Highlighting the performance of India’s amateurs, IGU director-general Bibhuti Bhushan, said, “Our amateur stars have done us proud, like Avani Prashanth who won the individual honours at the Queen Sirikit Cup and was fourth at the World Amateur Team Championships.

“Among boys we have Kartik Singh, who was the youngest to make the cut last year at the Asia Pacific Amateur Championships in Australia.”

Meanwhile, the IGU is associated with the  CPG, which is based on the guiding principles of togetherness, collaboration and development for the larger benefit of the game.

The NGAI is the official body for certification of golf teachers in India and neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka whose coaches also come for certification to India. Since its inception in 2004 the NGAI has accredited almost 600 teaching professionals.

Olympic preparation

Leading male golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar are set to make their Olympic debut in Paris and will be among the 60 professionals teeing off in August at the Le Golf National.

In the women’s event, Aditi Ashok is set for her third Olympic appearance and Diksha Dagar for her second.

They have all been supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports’ Target Olympic Podium Scheme’ in various ways including technical equipment and specialised experts, the IGU added.

Also read: IGU asks top teaching pros to conduct refresher courses at NGAI