Indian Golf Union Director Basic Maj Gen (Retd) Bibhuti Bhushan on Thursday blamed the Indian Olympic Affiliation for creating confusion and mentioned that, as the only real recognised nationwide physique for the game, it has already despatched an extended checklist of gamers for this yr’s Asian Video games.
Bhushan mentioned IGU had submitted the names of eight males and eight girls golfers for the Asian Video games earlier than the deadline of January 15 and the matter now rests with the IOA.
IGU is recognised by the Union Sports activities ministry and Worldwide Golf Federation (IGF), however one other set of office-bearers, led by Harish Kumar Shetty, has been recognised by the IOA after two separate elections had been held in December 2024, resulting in turmoil within the fraternity.
“I wish to make it very clear that there is no such thing as a different faction, there is just one IGU. IGU is recognised by the worldwide federation, IGU is recognised by the Asian physique, IGU is recognised by the Ministry of Sports activities, even IGU is registered with the Registrar of Societies,” Bhushan advised PTI on the sidelines of a promotional occasion within the capital.
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“IGU is operating all of the tournaments pan India, 50 odd tournaments. We’re choosing groups and sending for worldwide tournaments. 15 groups we’ve got despatched within the final one yr. What are they (different faction) doing, what they’ve performed within the final one yr, have they even performed one match?
“You will need to ask this to IOA they’re doing confusion. They’re the confusion creators. We’re recognised by everyone on this planet,” he added.
Bhushan got here down onerous on IOA and mentioned the IGU has the backing of the federal government and the courts.
“We’re giving funds to the gamers which come to us from the ministry to us. The ministry may be very clear and, the truth is, the Hon’ble Delhi Excessive Courtroom has additionally directed the IOA to not have interaction with that physique. I don’t know why they’re doing it,” he mentioned.
Bhushan mentioned the Asian Video games checklist has been ready holding in thoughts the world rankings and identified that solely three golfers — every in each women and men classes — will probably be chosen for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Video games to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.
“We now have despatched the names primarily based on the world rankings which is the norm. They (IOA) is not going to say they’ve accepted it however gamers usually are not going to endure. There’s a set choice process primarily based on world golf rankings, we’re not conducting any trials.” There’s a confusion being created,” he mentioned.
“Ultimately 3 boys and three women will probably be chosen for the Asian Video games. However as of now we’ve got despatched the lengthy checklist of eight boys and eight women. Previous to the ultimate date whosoever comes within the high 3 will probably be chosen for Asian Video games.” The IGU DG reiterated that the federation is the one recognised physique for the game within the nation and mentioned that two golfers every within the males’s and ladies’s classes will probably be despatched for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“In Olympics, the choice system is completely different. We now have the Olympic World Golf Rankings which is finalised 2-3 months earlier than the Olympics. So we hope to ship 2 boys and a couple of women in subsequent Olympics,” he concluded.
Revealed on Jan 22, 2026