The Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), which has secured official approval of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; on Tuesday announced former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as co-owner and brand ambassador.
IGPL, a city-based franchise league that will feature six teams with a unique format where male and female professional golfers play together, will be held over four weeks in January-February next year, organisers said at an event in New Delhi.
“The league is going to be a four-week golfing extravaganza based on a franchise format,” PTI quotes Manav Jaini, head of Bharat Golf Private Limited, the league organisers, as having told reporters.
“In the first year, we’re starting with six franchises. There will be a home-and-away concept for the first three weeks, culminating in the grand finale. At the grand finale, along with golf, our ambassador Yuvraj Singh will be present, and we’re planning a ‘YUVICAN’ event that week as well. The finale week will be the showstopper of Indian golf,” said Jaini.
Though Yuvraj did not attend the press conference, he expressed his excitement through a press release, stating, “It is a matter of great excitement to join the IGPL team and have the opportunity to promote this incredible sport in a fresh avatar. Despite being one of the most popular sports globally, golf is still considered niche in India. A fast-paced and quick format is exactly what is needed to expand its reach to more audiences and athletes, and make golf more spectator-friendly.”
Yuvraj said the tournament would also help in grooming Indian golfers and provide them with more development opportunities. “We are confident IGPL will popularise the sport among the masses in India, while providing a platform for golfers to build their skills and compete,” he said.
The league will feature Indian golf icons like Shiv Kapur, Gaganjeet Bhullar, Gaurav Ghei, Jyoti Randhawa, Jeev Milkha Singh, and SSP Chawrasia. “I think the tie-up with the Indian Golf Union (IGU) is very special. Young players from the amateur circuit will get a chance to play alongside us. This experience will be invaluable,” said multiple Asian Tour winner Gaganjeet Bhullar.
Within days of the announcement, over 30 golfers have already signed up for the tour and league events. The IGPL will kick off a 10-week new golf tour starting in September this year, followed by franchise announcements in October-November.
“Our primary focus is on Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Mumbai — six major cities. However, this will also depend on locations chosen by franchise owners. By the end of November, we plan to hold a strategic player auction. Each team will have a notional budget to strategically build the strongest possible squad,” said Jaini.
