Legendary cricketer and newly-appointed president of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), Kapil Dev, has expressed high hopes for India’s golfing sensation, Aditi Ashok, at the upcoming Paris Olympics. The former World Cup-winning captain believes that Ashok has the potential to not only repeat her impressive performance from the Tokyo Olympics but to go one step further and clinch a medal.
Aditi Ashok at Tokyo Olympics
Aditi Ashok captured the nation’s heart with her fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Games, narrowly missing out on a podium spot. Despite a strong showing, her form dipped on the final day, ultimately costing her a medal.
“Aditi played with incredible flair in Tokyo,” said Kapil Dev to PTI. “If she can replicate that form in Paris, a medal is certainly within her grasp. However, golf is a game of consistency, and a single bad day can make a huge difference.”
India’s golfing infrastructure needs boost
While expressing optimism about Ashok’s chances, Kapil Dev also highlighted the challenges faced by Indian golfers. According to him, the lack of world-class golf courses in the country is a major hurdle.
“We need to develop more international-standard golf courses to nurture talent and prepare our players for global competitions,” said Dev. “It’s a catch-22 situation. We need top-tier tournaments to attract players, but we also need top-tier courses to host these tournaments.”
Kapil Dev’s vision for Indian Golf
As the newly appointed PGTI president, Kapil Dev has outlined his plans to elevate Indian golf. His primary focus is on increasing the number of tournaments and prize money to provide better opportunities for golfers.
“I want to see more tournaments throughout the year, which will give players more chances to compete and improve their rankings,” he said. “To achieve this, we need to attract more sponsors to the sport. I believe that by working closely with the corporate world, we can create a more vibrant and sustainable golf ecosystem in India.”
With Kapil Dev at the helm of the PGTI, there is a renewed sense of optimism in Indian golf circles. His experience, combined with his passion for the sport, is expected to bring about positive changes in the coming years.
As for Aditi Ashok, the pressure will be on to deliver in Paris. But with the backing of a legend like Kapil Dev and her own talent, she will undoubtedly be a strong contender for a medal.
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