Yuvraj Singh, the celebrated former Indian all-rounder and World Cup champion, emphasized on Thursday the importance of young cricketers taking up golf to alleviate the pressures of their primary sport. Since his retirement, Yuvraj has developed a passion for golf and has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL).
“Cricketers should embrace golf alongside their cricket training. I wish I had started playing golf earlier; it would have benefitted my cricketing career. Golf is a fantastic way to relax and relieve stress,” Yuvraj remarked during the IGPL launch event.
He pointed out that many international cricketers from countries like Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa have been playing golf since childhood.
“While golf is often seen as an elite sport, it’s actually accessible to everyone through public courses. We aim to introduce golf to children across India. Every child should have the opportunity to try out various sports. Cricket may be our national passion, but golf is equally thrilling and worth exploring. As a representative of India, I’m committed to promoting other sports too,” he added.
Discussing the potential of the IGPL, Yuvraj expressed confidence that it will foster the growth of golf in India and inspire young players to take up the sport early on.
“The league will generate excitement around golf, attracting more kids to the game. They’ll watch it on TV and feel motivated to participate. This initiative will generate revenue for the sport and secure a brighter future for aspiring young golfers, which is a collective responsibility,” Yuvraj stated.
The IGPL will feature ten franchises and host fifteen events throughout the year, including five international competitions in locations such as Mauritius, the Congo, South Africa, and two events in Morocco. Notably, the IGPL has also been integrated into the professional tour.
The launch event was graced by tennis legend Leander Paes, a co-owner of the Kolkata franchise, alongside IGPL CEO Uttam Singh Mundy.