GOLF | Govt-backed IGU announces squad for Asian Games

The Indian Golf Union has finalised a six-member team for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with 2023 silver medallist Aditi Ashok leading the charge.

Besides world No. 135 Aditi, who is also the highest-ranked Indian in the side, the women’s trio includes Diksha Dagar and Pranavi Urs. Yuvraj Sandhu will lead the men’s squad comprising Veer Ahlawat and Saptak Talwar.

The golf events are scheduled from September 30-October 3 at the Kasugai Country Club East Course.

Interestingly, while the entries have to be routed through the Indian Olympic Association, the IOA has not recognised the Brijinder Singh faction despite the latter having approval from the Sports Ministry and continues to deal with Harish Shetty-led faction. The matter is subjudice. This had led to the IOA refusing to accept the long list of eight men and women each by IGU way back in January.

However, entries in both long lists back then were the same. “The entries were decided purely through the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). Yuvraj won seven times on the PGTI circuit last year while Aditi and Diksha have won multiple times on the Ladies European Tour. I am confident the Indian team will finish on the podium,” Brijinder said.