Thaindian News

New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS) Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh believes the global economic crunch will make it a tough year for golf as getting sponsors would be a major problem.

Jeev, however, did not think it would be a major hassle for Indian golf to get sponsors as most corporate honchos play the sport.

“With the way the economy is going, it is going to be a tough year for golf. Hopefully all the big events will get the sponsors. In India, top CEOs play golf so it shouldn’t be that big a problem here but still it’s going to be tough,” Jeev said at the launch here Tuesday of the second edition of the Gujarat Kensville Challenge.

Jeev also advised the youngsters in India to play as many tournaments as possible and said the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) was a great platform to start a career.

“PGTI is a fantastic opportunity for youngsters. Most important thing in golf is to get tournament experience. It is a great place to start, there is good money as well.”

The twice Asian Tour Order of Merit winner (2006, 2008) also talked of India’s chances of doing well in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

“India has a very good chance of winning a medal at the Olympics, top Indian players are good enough to compete against anyone. But they will have to qualify first.”

Jeev also joined in the debate raging across the country over making sports persons eligible for the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award.

“Anyone who has excelled in their respective fields, be it a sports person, doctor or media person should get a Bharat Ratna. If three or four people are deserving then it should go to all of them. There has to be proper criteria though for picking the awardee. This is my personal opinion.”