The IGU has a new cast, will we now see a fresh script?

By Rahul Banerji

The end of 2022 saw the exit of a dispensation that had ruled the roost at the Indian Golf Union, IGU, for the past two terms, with no great distinction.

As a body charged with overseeing the game in the country, the association largely confined itself to keeping amateur golf going, and little else.

Indian golf has a long and hoary tradition, but in the last few years, it has not just stagnated but gone backward and into into international anonymity.

The national amateur championships recently held its 121^st edition, making it amongst the oldest such tournaments in the world, and it was played out in near-silence.

Updates on the tournament’s progress came from coaches and parents, not from the IGU. It has – for the last few years at least – become a template of sorts by the administrators of the game.

That however promises to change.

The December 24 election in Delhi unseated an executive dominated by former and current officers of the armed forces and brought in a host of largely civilian body that includes many with a long association with the game.

Making a start

For a start, the body has been granted annual recognition by the union sports ministry. It comes after a court-appointed returning officer certified the election as following norms suggested in the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.

This will pave the way for more financial support under programme like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme and others that are in play provided the IGU fulfills specific laid-down criteria.

On January 8, the new executive committee or council is scheduled to hold its first meeting, and the IGU’s actions immediately thereafter will be an indicator of how much things are likely to change.

Ahead of that though, there are straws in the wins.

IGU director-general Bibhuti Bhushan, a retired general, told the Times of India last week that an early priority would be to identify and develop a national squad and a dedicated coaching centre.

New plans

“Till date, all the national-level players who were representing India weren’t receiving any money for their services,” Gen Bhushan said referring to the fact that amateur golfers were barred from accepting money but which was now being done away with globally.

“We have now planned to incentivise them so that they don’t turn professional at a very young age. Anybody finishing on the podium will be rewarded with $1,000 in prize money.”

Fact check.

At the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship and the Women’s Asia Pacific Amateur immediately thereafter in Thailand last October-November, no Indian came within touching distance of a podium.

At the AAC, the best-placed Indian was two-time All India Amateur winner Aryan Roopa Anand in tied 38^th place, 14 shots behind the event winner. Three Indians from a group of seven survived the 36-hole cut.

The corresponding women’s WAAP event, saw Nishna Patel take a share of 46^th place, 19 shots off the Taiwanese golfer who emerged champion at Pattaya. From a group of six, the Mumbai schoolgirl was the only one to make the cut.

So international podium finishes, at least in the immediate future, are some way in the distance.

A clearer roadmap will hopefully emerge at the January 8 meeting in Delhi.

Also read: IGU electorate rejects attempt to retain control of apex golf body