Paris Olympics 2024: Kapil Dev backs golfer Aditi Ashok to win medal after success in Tokyo edition

Former Indian captain Kapil Dev, who recently got appointed as the president of theProfessional Golf Tour of India, has backed golfer Aditi Ashok to return with a medal in the forthcoming Paris Olympics 2024 edition. The marquee tournament kicks off later this month and all eyes are on Aditi, who finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympics and won the hearts of countrymen.

Talking to PTI Videos, India's 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil said, "I want to see Aditi playing with the same pomp that she played with in the Tokyo Olympics. For cricketers and golfers, form is very important. If Aditi plays in the same form, she has a good chance to win a medal. And if she has a bad week, then she can only sit out and rue the loss."

Kapil further opined that there was a severe dearth of quality international-level golf courses in India. The veteran, who has been playing on the PGTI circuit foryears, mentioned, "In India, there is a catch-22 situation. You have to have good golf courses up to international standards with top tournaments and people playing golf in tougher conditions and scoring well. Some of the courses in India have to improve also and give the players to play in decent courses."

He further stated, "I have seen playing 20 under 19 under 18 under but conditions may not be as good as we would like to have. Somebody who has played in DLF Gurgaon or Oxford, and hit 15 or 20 under, then you can say that's the different level you have played."

Kapil also shared his vision and priorities after assuming office as PGTI president. He said, "My first vision is to bring money to golf and more golf to the players. At the moment they play 15 or 20 weeks a year if we can make it 30-35 weeks a year... that's the vision."

"The only way it can come is if more sponsors come. So I would like more tours and tournaments to take place. I will open the door for many companies and the corporate world to come out and promote golf," the ex-cricketer highlighted.

He further added, "Golf is slightly different because every person has to earn his own money. In cricket, the Board decides the fees. Start talking to the Corporate world if they can come and organise more golf tournaments. That's the immediate plan. I am not the lone golfer who played the game. I can't say I am the one who will lead it. Yes, I will try and help a lot of golfers in the country and bring more corporates into the game."

Talking about Aditi, she has had her share of ups and downs but remains India's best bet to win a medal in golf during the upcoming Olympics. In Tokyo 2020, shefinished a stroke behind the bronze medallist Lydia Ko and was onlytwo strokes behind gold winner Nelly Korda. This time around, the 26-year-old will be eager to use her past experience and return with hermaiden Olympic medal in Paris.