Kapil Dev Takes Over As President Of PGTI

Padma Bhushan Kapil Dev has been appointed as President of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). A special evening was organised to felicitate him. 

Former cricketer and now an ace golfer, Dev said, “I am happy to be part of the revolution golf is going through. The attitude towards the game has changed. There are more people playing professionally from India and more financial help will only make this field grow.”

Arjuna Awardee Diksha Dagar who is all set to participate in the Olympics 2024 that will be held in Paris, is an example of how Indian golfing talent is being honed and recognised on the global stage, Dagar said, “I am blessed and honoured to be playing for India. There are more youngsters and girls playing professional golf from when I started my amateur career in 2012.” She is only the second Indian golfer after Aditi Ashok to win in the Ladies European tour and the youngest Indian woman to do so at the age of 18.

As the new President of PGTI, Dev hopes to strengthen the spirit of the game. “We need more people with a sporting mind and to make the sport even more popular and look at the possibility of a T20 sort of format where professional women golfers play alongside the professional men golfers,” he said. On his part, he hopes to be remembered as a sportsman and someone who continues to contribute to sports one way or the other.

Also present, Kavita Singh, President, Women's Golf Association of India (WGAI) and Chairperson, Women's Indian Open Golf, mapped the journey of women’s golf. She said, “With help mostly from corporates we have come a long way, we now have over 60 professional women golfers, from amateurs included. Now the girls can make a living from the sport which was not really possible before.”

Chief Guest Meenakshi Lekhi, former Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture, is credited with helping further the interest of the game. She is happy that the whole community is getting a boost. “Beyond the pros, there is a huge community benefitting from caddies to the golf course staff to even the tourism industry,” she said.

As part of the ceremony, organisers announced the upcoming 6th MP (Members of Parliament) Golf Cup scheduled for November this year. Additionally, the organisers unveiled plans for the expected launch of JIT Golf Premier League under the patronage of Lekhi, to further promote Golf in India. 

The event concluded with celebrating the remarkable achievements of Dev, highlighting the growth of sporting excellence in India as well as a message to other sports giants for their outstanding contributions, which continue to bring pride to the country.