The support from the government for the game of golf has been a big boost for the IGU. The Sports Ministry has been very generous in backing the golfers ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The IGU, which is an affiliate member of the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG), an association of National PGAs, has through its wing, the National Golf Academy of India (NGAI), also brought in an international trainer to have special sessions to update their teaching professionals and coaches to update and upgrade their knowledge.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The IGU also has the active support of the Royal and Ancient, the world\u2019s governing body for golf, in growing the game. The IGU is now holding programmes in various parts of the country, including the North-East, to \u2018grow the game\u2019.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe have spent more than a year in creating a base and have had fair success in raising funds and are in the process of getting more funds through sponsors and through our own activities like creating an Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL),\u201d said Brijinder Singh, President of the IGU.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTime and again, we have been told at international meetings how the fraternity looks at India to grow the game in the region. We have the numbers, we have a coaches certification system and now with the programmes to \u2018Teach our teachers\u2019 and get more people to play the game, we are hopeful in the next few years, India will be a golfing force.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He added, \u201cOur aim is to get golf into programmes like the popular \u2018Khelo India Games\u2019 and to make golf part of the curriculum in schools. To that end, we have had great feedback and sports are open to the idea.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The IGU also revealed that the CPG has sent Master Trainers for Indian coaches, assistant teachers and officials for a three-day workshop which concludes on Monday. This is one of the biggest programmes undertaken by the NGAI, which the IGU set up almost two decades ago. Former India golfer, Manav Das is guiding the NGAI through it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
S.K Sharma, Chairman of IGU\u2019s flagship event, the Indian Open, added, \u201cThese programmes will ensure that youngsters get the opportunities on their home turf. In the absence of quality coaches, the young golfers often come to bigger cities like Delhi, and Chandigarh and the same is the case in Southern India and other parts. 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.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Highlighting the performance of India\u2019s amateurs, Major General Bibhuti Bhushan, the Director-General of the IGU, said, \u201cOur 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. She also won a pro event in Europe and was second at the Royal Junior Cup. She has a great future.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAmong boys, we have Kartik Singh, who was the youngest to make the cut last year at the Asia Pacific Amateur Championships in Australia.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He added, \u201cThe IGU is thankful to the government, who are funding our golfers to events ahead of the Olympics. All four of our top pros have been put on TOPS (The Olympic Podium Scheme) and the IGU has been in touch with TOPS and the government, and we are thrilled with the support.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The IGU is associated with the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG), which is an association of National PGAs. It is based on the guiding principles of Togetherness, Collaboration and Development to provide a collective voice and opportunities for the benefit of the game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The NGAI is the Official Body for Certification of Golf Teachers in India and teachers from neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka also come for certification to India. Since its inception in 2004, the NGAI has accredited almost 600 teaching professionals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Olympic Team preparation<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India\u2019s leading golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Gaganjeet Bhullar are set to make their Olympic grade and make their debut in Paris 2024 and will be among the 60 professionals teeing off in August at the Le Golf National. In the women\u2019s section, Aditi Ashok is set for her third Olympic appearance and Diksha Dagar for her second.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They have all been supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports\u2019 Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
IGU in good financial health<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The DG of the IGU said the organisation is financially strong and well-placed to promote its development programmes. The IGU is also raising funds from international bodies and through activities like the Indian Golf Premier League.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
National Squad<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The IGU has formed its National Squads from which the selection committee picks teams for various events. This is an ongoing process and squads get updated regularly based on performances. The IGU also receives government support to send more and more teams abroad for exposure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The domestic IGU circuits are in full swing and numerous competitions are happening and the number of golfers in each of the events is going up, indicating growing interest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/05\/buoyed-by-govt-support-igu-focuses-on-growing-the-game-and-creating-more-opportunities.jpg", "alt_img": "Buoyed by govt support IGU focuses on growing the game and creating more opportunities", "alt_title": "Buoyed by govt support IGU focuses on growing the game and creating more opportunities", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Buoyed By Govt Support IGU Focuses On Growing The Game And Creating More Opportunities On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Buoyed By Govt Support IGU Focuses On Growing The Game And Creating More Opportunities, Indian Golf Premier League: Buoyed by the recent success of young amateur players, the Indian Golf Union, which has also.", "seo_keywords": "New Delhi, Indian Golf Union, Youth Affairs, The Sports Ministry, Olympic Games, The IGU, Professional Golf, National PGAs, National Golf Academy, Indian Golf Premier League, Brijinder Singh, Khelo India Games, Master Trainers, Former India, Manav Das", "tag": "", "tagging": "New Delhi, Indian Golf Union, Youth Affairs, The Sports Ministry, Olympic Games, The IGU, Professional Golf, National PGAs, National Golf Academy, Indian Golf Premier League, Brijinder Singh, Khelo India Games, Master Trainers, Former India, Manav Das", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "buoyed-by-govt-support-igu-focuses-on-growing-the-game-and-creating-more-opportunities", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "1161", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-05-05 22:56:03", "updated": "2024-05-05 22:56:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "New Delhi, Indian Golf Union, Youth Affairs, The Sports Ministry, Olympic Games, The IGU, Professional Golf, National PGAs, National Golf Academy, Indian Golf Premier League, Brijinder Singh, Khelo India Games, Master Trainers, Former India, Manav Das", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-05-05 22:56:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "golf", "cnmid": "899712", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/buoyed-by-govt-support-igu-focuses-on-growing-the-game-and-creating-more-opportunities-14965" }