Sports in India need better marketing like cricket, feels India's ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh.
CHANDIGARH: Sports in India need better marketing like cricket, feels India's ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh.
Except cricket, disciplines like hockey, football and golf have few stars that youngsters can look up to, said Jeev, back in his hometown for a 'quick break' after several months on the tour.
Jeev also collected his Padma Shri award.
The 36-year-old son of legendary athlete 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh will be on home territory as he competes in the Indian Open in New Delhi next month.
Before that the Chandigarh-born Jeev gets a chance to rub shoulders with the likes of Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones, Hugh Grant and other celebrities next week in a 'fun tournament' in Scotland when he plays at St Andrews golf course in the Alfred Dunhill pro-am golf tournament.
Q. The attention that cricketers are getting in India, is the hype too much?
Jeev: No. They have won a world title. The game is marketed very well. That is what we need for hockey, golf and other sports - good marketing. And then we can have stars everywhere. Now more recognition is coming to sports in India. People now think of making sports a career. That's what we need - India as a sporting nation like the West.
Q. You had a good year in 2006 winning several titles, but 2007 has not been as productive.
Jeev: I agree. Last year was a dream one for me. I knew that expectations would be high this year also but it is difficult to maintain top form. It is all part of the game - like a roller coaster. I won four tournaments last year. I would rate my performance this year as ok. It is nothing close to what it was last year but still its average.
Q. What is your present rank in international golf?
Jeev: My European ranking is 37th and world rank is 74th. (Jeev had made a cut in the top-50 golfers in the world last year and was ranked 37th). I do not have an Asian ranking because I have not played the minimum required tournaments on the Asian Tour. My focus is the European circuit. I have also played 12 tournaments in the US, including the US Masters. In Europe and US, the playing standards are extremely high.
Q. Where do you see the Indian golf going in the near future?
Jeev: In Indian golf, you are going to see something next year that has never happened before. You will be shocked. There are four major tournaments, including two Asian Tour events, lined up for next year with prize money going up to $2.5 million for each of these. Except Tiger Woods, I can assure you, all big names in international golf will be here, including Vijay Singh. Already top golfers who will participate have been contacting me to know about the conditions, food, etc. So far, the prize money in India was a maximum of half a million dollars.
Q. What can the government do to promote golf?
Jeev: I can understand that we may not have enough land and resources to make full golf courses. I want to push the government to get at least many more driving ranges like the Chandigarh Golf range where aspiring golfers can practice shots before moving to proper courses. A lot of youngsters from India are doing well on the Asian Tour. Among the professionals, Jyoti Randhawa, Gaurav Ghei and Shiv Kapur have excelled. They should now be playing with the best in the world to improve their game. That is what I have been doing.
Q. How do you rate your performance at the US Masters?
Jeev: That was an amazing tournament. I was initially nervous. I played well on the first three days but had a bad fourth day. I finished around 35th. But if I get to play the Masters again, I will make changes in my game. The greens are very important there. Now I have experience of that course. I will try to improve with a better performance. Playing with the best, you slowly move up.
Q. India goes to the world cup of golf in China this November. But you're not part of the team.
Jeev: I am not be participating in the event. Jyoti Randhawa and Gaurav Ghei will represent India there. I have to defend my Casio Masters title in Japan during the same weekend as the World Cup. I had committed to that tournament earlier and it is my title to defend. Otherwise, I would have loved to play in the World Cup.
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