Gurgaon fast emerging as major centre of golf, Hooda

New Delhi/Jalandhar, November 6, 2013: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said that Gurgaon is fast emerging as a major centre of Golf and it attracted about 30,000 golf tourists during last year and their number is increasing by 10 percent annually.

Hooda was addressing at a function of ‘Take Solutions India Golf Awards’ organised in Gurgaon late last evening. The India Golf Awards powered by www.golfingindian.com and created by leading golfing journalist Shaili Chopra recognized over 30 special winners across categories who were chosen by a special jury. Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia was also present along with top golfers from India and across the world.

Addressing on the occasion, Hooda said that the Gurgaon, the Corporate Capital, is now hosting the first ever India Golf Awards in the country which is matter of pride for us. He said that he has been told that Gurgaon has nine courses and it is the only district in the country to have such a large number of golf courses. It attracted about 30,000 golf tourists during last year and their number is increasing by ten percent annually, Hooda asserted.

He said that in the modern way of life, the game of Golf has caught fancy of many sections of the society. As now-a-days many people are exposed to stress related diseases like diabetes and hyper tension, the golf acts as a ‘stress buster’. Underlining the steps taken by the state government to promote golf in Haryana, he said that Haryana is emerging as one of the most favoured golf destination. Now, it is on the world golfing map and Haryana Tourism department has a plan to promote golf in a big way. He said that Haryana government has created Golfing infrastructure by way of building various golf courses over the years. Citing example, he said that Panchkula golf course, a 9-hole course Golf facility at Manesar, upgradation of the Aravali Golf Course which was designed by US based Golf Course designer Stephan Kay in 1960s in Faridabad and  golfing facility at Madhuban (Karnal) have made it possible for large number of citizens to take up the game of golf.

Hooda said that today Haryana is emerging as a Sports Power and it’s Sports Policy has been acclaimed and emulated by other states. The policy aims at providing excellent sports infrastructure and incentives to sports persons and ensuring their secure future. London Olympics 2012 have proved the usefulness of our Sports Policy as four out of six medals won by India, were bagged by the players of Haryana.

The Chief Minister  reiterated that winners of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals from Haryana in next Olympics would be given Rs 5 Crore, Rs 3 Crore and Rs 2 crore respectively. He said that Haryana is first to implement a scheme known as ‘ Padak Lao-Padak Pao’to provide career opportunities to the medal winners of Olympic, Common Wealth Games, Asian Games and other international events. “Our Government has already given employment to 482 outstanding players under the Employment Guarantee Scheme and have given Rs 50.85 crore as cash awards to our outstanding sports persons besides providing 3 percent reservation in jobs”, said Hooda.

He further said that Haryana is first in the country to introduce a scholarship scheme for players belonging to Scheduled Castes. Under the “ Fair Play Scholarship Scheme” for sports persons belonging to Scheduled Castes, the medal winners are given award money in addition to a monthly scholarship for one year, Hooda added.

He presented Best Teaching Pro Awards to Jesse Grewal of Chandigarh and to Nonita Lal. Hooda also honoured Pawan Munjal, MD of Hero Moto Group for outstanding Corporate Contribution to Golf. Montek Singh Ahluwalia honoured corporate players including Puneet Chaddha of HSBC, Aditya Khaitan of McLeod Russel and Vijay Chauhan of Parle. Papa CJ was given Best Comedy Golfer Award while Rashid Khan and Vani Kapoor were awarded with Best Upcoming Golfers Awards.

Also present on the occasion were Media Advisor to Haryana Chief Minister Shiv Bhatia, Deputy Commissioner Shekhar Vidyarthi, Joint Commissioner of Police Maheshawer Dayal, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) Surender Pal Singh, Shaili Chopra from www.GolfingIndian.com among others.