In a significant development that has rocked the Indian sporting community, two of the nation's most celebrated professional golfers, Jeev Milkha Singh and Gaganjeet Bhullar, have publicly voiced their deep concern and dismay over the ongoing internal rift and factionalism within the national golf federation. This discord has cast a long and troubling shadow over the crucial team selection process for the forthcoming Asian Games, raising alarms about the sport's governance and future in India.
A Call for Government Intervention
Jeev Milkha Singh, a legendary figure in Indian golf with an illustrious career boasting a total of 21 professional victories, has made a passionate appeal for immediate and decisive action. He emphasized that the situation has deteriorated to a point where intervention from the highest levels of authority is now imperative.
"I firmly believe the government must step in and bring the two conflicting parties together to sort this issue out conclusively. This persistent infighting must stop without further delay. A senior and authoritative figure within the government should facilitate a meeting, making them sit across the table and compelling them to collaborate for the betterment and progress of the sport," Singh stated emphatically.
The Selection Controversy Deepens
The controversy centers on the submission of athlete lists for the Asian Games. Gaganjeet Bhullar's name was notably included in the long list of athletes shared with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) by a faction of the Indian Golf Union (IGU) led by Harish Shetty. The IOA currently recognizes this Shetty-led group as the sole National Sports Federation (NSF) governing golf in the country.
However, a rival faction, led by Brijender Singh and IGU director general Maj Gen (retd) Bibhuti Bhushan, complicates the matter. This group claims legitimacy with the backing of the Union Sports Ministry and the International Golf Federation (IGF). They contend that they reserve the rightful authority to send the official entries for the Games to the organizers through the IOA.
This conflicting authority resulted in both factions independently sending their long lists of golfers to the IOA. The national Olympic committee ultimately considered and accepted the names forwarded by the Shetty-led faction, a decision that lies at the heart of the current impasse.
Bhullar's Reaction: Shock and Disappointment
Gaganjeet Bhullar, an 11-time winner on the Asian Tour, described the ongoing deadlock within the IGU as both "unfortunate and profoundly shocking." He expressed his personal dismay, noting that such federation infighting was something he associated with other sports but never expected in the relatively serene world of golf.
"Earlier in my playing career, I would hear stories about internal conflicts and power struggles within federations of sports like boxing, wrestling, shooting, or cycling. But we, as golfers, never anticipated or imagined this kind of situation unfolding in our sport. It genuinely makes me very sad," Bhullar revealed.
He further elaborated, "In fact, more than just sadness, it is a bit shocking for me personally. I had heard of such factional fights in various other sporting disciplines, but never in golf. It is genuinely difficult to relate or associate these kinds of administrative and political issues with the sport of golf," Bhullar told reporters on the sidelines of the launch event for the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) on Thursday.
The statements from these two stalwarts highlight a critical juncture for Indian golf. The internal strife threatens not only the immediate participation and morale of athletes ahead of a major multi-sport event like the Asian Games but also raises broader questions about stable governance, transparent selection processes, and the long-term health of the sport in the country. The call for government mediation underscores the severity of the crisis, as the golfing community watches closely, hoping for a swift and amicable resolution.
