GP Junior (Apr-May 18) Digital (Apr-May 18).indd | Page 19

INTERVIEW
Yes, of course. India is coming up in a big
way in every sector then Why not golf. If
you see Golf wasn’t a recognised sector
few years back but today everybody is
getting into golf. Sponsorships are rolling,
companies are sponsoring. More and more
people are now coming into golf. Golf is a
great game to go ahead.
GP: What are his future plans?
I haven’t set any goals. I would want my
son to play and be happy at the moment.
It’s absolutely Vihaan’s call if he wants
to continue playing golf. But yes, we as
parents we can only push them and we
can only dedicate to the sport and make
them understand what will beneſ t them
as a sportsmen. Even today if he is playing
Golf his focus is increasing which helps
him to increase in studies also.
Perfect. If you are not part of the Indian
Golf Union where would you go ahead? If
you have to be a part of IGU you have to
perform well at IGU. Once you have to go
to PGA you have to cross IGU. You have to
be somewhere in India.
GP: Is the government contributing
towards shaping the future of golf?
Of course. I have heard that Sports
ministry is initiating things in Golf. There
is a sports part in PHD Commerce there
is a sports part to initiate sponsorships
and make the youngsters grow. And even
our PM is doing that now. Promoting the
youth in any sector.
GP: “Golf builds character,” what is
your take on it?
Golf is the only game I feel that builds
character, attitude, and etiquettes. When
you go to golf course you witness it is the
only place where you wish people, you
network and you make friends. It’s not
saying that other sports are bad but this
is the real attitude building because the
basic thing you inculcate in a sportsman is
the etiquettes and the discipline to behave
on the golf course, your behaviour. That is
the biggest thing.
GP: What is your take on IGU’s role?
Manresh Malhotra with his daughter
GP: Highlight the parent’s contribution
towards the development of a junior
golfer.
It’s more than 100% is the parents
initiative. According to our experiences
Golf is such a game. It’s like i put my son
into squash, tennis, badminton it may be
1 hour job or a 2 hour Job. But going to
a Golf course from the place where we
live it’s around a two hours drive going
and coming back. Because golf courses
are mostly not in the center of Delhi. You
have to spend the whole day. You have to
sacriſ ce your ofſ ce your work and there
is a lot of sacriſ ces happening. When
you are not dedicated you can’t expect
anything from your child. You have to be
on his head, he is still a kid. So parents
play a biggest role- you got to be there,
you have to get up early mornings with
them, go with them you cannot j