Dear Mr Ranjit Bajaj,
You also revealed that your father, who I am guessing is a senior citizen, is an avid golfer. Among your grievances against the sport is that golf courses are built in the heart of the city, thus depriving other sports of ‘prime’ real estate. You also said that 1 per cent people play the sport, and that’s the 1 per cent that ‘we don’t like’.
No golf course has been built on prime real estate in the major metros over the past 50 years. Give us one football pitch in every Tier 2 and Tier 3 city. As someone who has the power to shape the destiny of nearly 450 youth in your academy, and who is well respected for all you have done for Indian football, you hold a position of great privilege.
Because a golf course elevates real estate prices around it, of course, properties like DLF Golf & Country Club and Jaypee Greens have become huge commercial success. As media manager of the Indian PGA Tour around the turn of the century, I have had the privilege of guiding several Indian professionals on how to interact with the media. Among the things I drilled into them was to never criticise other sports, especially cricket. Speak proudly about golf but always respect other sports. Cricket is popular for a reason. A lot of hard work has gone into why it appeals to the masses – playing facilities in every town and village, television time and sponsorship, individual and team brilliance, BCCI’s efforts to upgrade the domestic structure… it’s a never-ending list. All the golf courses you mentioned — Delhi Golf Club, Chandigarh Golf Club, Bombay Presidency – were built by the mid-1960s. Communities develop around these protected green spaces. So, please don’t grudge golf for that. How about a trade? Our golf industry can build bigger and better driving ranges and practice facilities on these 100m x 60m pitches. I am also certain we will produce good, world-class golfers. Please don’t limit your responsibility to football.
You said golf uses prime property. You said you can transform all sports in the country if golf gives you nine holes of space on these ‘prime property’ courses. Spiderman said it best – with great power, comes great responsibility.
