Golf in India is considered an elite sport. It is not possible for everyone to play in private courses. We need to give opportunities to all who want to play the sport. And for that, we need public golf courses.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
For golf, being in the Olympics is a big boost. More so for Indian golf.
Not much is done to promote non-cricket sports in India. There is a lot of talk about how sports needs to reach the grassroots and how it should be introduced as a subject in school, but nothing has been done to that effect.
Badminton is not a popular sport in India.
Why are we building golf courses? Because we enjoy being outside, bringing man and nature together.
Golf is social. It brings a lot of people together.
I think that in itself, if you're a true golfer, you'll see specific things you need to work on. Much cheaper than private lessons.
India has a very good tradition in tennis.
The majority of people who buy homes in golf course communities don't play golf. Golf is way down at the bottom in terms of total numbers and growth.
Golf has an ambivalent relationship with the environment. On one hand, it's a great preserver of open spaces. Golf doesn't pave the world - it helps to green the world. But the downside is, it uses a lot of fertilizer, pesticides and water.
Cricket is a self-sustaining industry; but corporates need to realise that other sports don't have that luxury. This is the time when they need to invest, and keep the faith. Every sport has the potential to create world champions. Imagine India as a country full of world champions. Why imagine? Let's just make it happen.