New PGTI president Kapil Dev with board members (from left) Abhinav Lohan, Vikrant Chopra, Manav Jaini and Amandeep Johl, and the organisation’s chief executive, U.S. Mund (centre)y, Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Kapil Dev has been elevated from vice president to president of the Professional Golf Tour of India, replacing H.R. Srinivasan whose term has ended, the body said on Wednesday.
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain was already closely involved with the men’s domestic professional game as PGTI VP and board member and now steps into a bigger role at the body.
In a statement the PGTI said on Wednesday, “… former India cricket captain Kapil Dev has taken over as the President of the Professional Golf Tour of India. This development marks a new chapter for the governing body for men’s professional golf in India.
“Kapil Dev, who has also excelled as an amateur golfer, has been the vice president and member of the governing body since the last three years and since then, he has played a pivotal role in further shaping and developing Indian professional golf along with the PGTI core team.
“It is an honour to become the president of PGTI, an organisation with which I have now been associated for quite a few years,” the statement quoted Kapil as saying.
“It is a player’s body, and I am great friends with all of them and with whom I often play. And now it is the sport where I spend most of my time.
“I have been a vice president and I am on the board, so it’s an honour to be chosen by the players to be the president.
Work and play
“I promise to do my best, as I always have. What gives me even greater pleasure is that I can spend more time with my golfing friends and play a little more,” Kapil added.
The 65-year-old, one of India’s greatest all-rounders and who will forever be remembered for his campaign-inspiring 175 not out against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells, is close friends with a number of India’s best-known golfers including Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal and Shiv Kapur.
Kapil is also behind the Rs 2 crore Kapil Dev Grant Thornton Invitational which is a mixed event for men and women professionals and invited amateurs that has been running for the past couple of years.
Said PGTI chief executive Uttam Singh Mundy, “We are honoured to have Indian sports icon Kapil Dev take over as president of PGTI.
“We are confident that the PGTI will scale greater heights under his astute leadership as his name has been synonymous with excellence in sports.
“Kapil Dev’s valuable experience as a professional sportsman and an accomplished golfer will be an asset for the PGTI, paving the way for the further growth of Indian professional golf.”
Kapil was keen to represent India at the Asian Games when it was still open only to amateurs, and also had a distinguished run as at the senior level including at continental championships.
Of late Kapil’s celeb status and his passion for golf has led to him being invited to major events like the Dunhill Links, where he played alongside other global stars from various fields.
“Golf is a great sport. You can play it till any age and it is an amazingly relaxing sport. I am busy with cricket often, but it a golf course I go to for relaxation,” Kapil is fond of saying.
“I am fortunate to be able to serve golf and I want to take it to new levels.”
Also read: Kapil Dev headlines AVT Champions first leg at Classic course
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