CXOs in Sports: Interview with Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit, Adventure Sports Consultant, FICCI

Sportskeeda brings another exciting series of interviews – CXOs in Sports, where we speak to eminent and prominent personalities in the sports industry, talking about their sporting interests and ideas for development of sports in general and of their sports work/interest in particular.

Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit

Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit is a former Secretary General of the Indian Golf Union and has been an integral part in the grassroots development of the game over the last two decades. He’s also made a significant contribution in promoting the adventure sports in the country as a consultant for Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

Recently, Mr. Aparajit had a chat with Sportskeeda on the growth of golf and adventure sports in India.

Here are a few excerpts from the conversation:

You’ve been a part of Indian Golf Union and have seen the game creating a foundation in our country. How do you see the game developing in a country where anything other than cricket needs to strive hard to create a unique identity?

Well this question has been debated over many a times. The fact remains that cricket as far as the sponsorships are concerned takes it all and leaves nothing for any other sport.

Having said that, let’s not take away any credit from the administrators of cricket. They brought the game to where it stands today and then the mega buck earner IPL further enhanced the image of the game. In fact, the IPL became a gamechanger when cricket seemed to be losing its sheen over the last few years. Now, thanks to the cricket administrators, all the other games are trying to imitate IPL, viz hockey, badminton, tennis, even golf, though not very successful.

In spite of being in existence for over two centuries in our country, golf continues to remain in the ‘infant’ stage and there are several reasons for it.

Do you think more golf academies and even a few high-profile golfing events in a calendar year may boost the sport’s identity significantly?

Golf academies will of course make a difference, but what happens after a person has learnt to swing the club & get initiated to the game of golf? Does he get entry to a golf course to play the game and hone his skills further? Not really.

The Indian Golf Union (IGU) started life membership drives to help such individuals. The Golf clubs were supposed to allow any life member of IGU to pay and play at their club. However, in spite our good intentions, barring a few armed forces golf clubs and very few other golf courses honored this membership. Well the clubs are within their rights to restrict entry to any one, so one cannot really use pressure tactics.

More than academies, what we need is golf driving ranges and public golf courses. Other than Delhi there is no Public golf course anywhere in India. The State Governments need to play a significant role in this project, but again the availability of land will be a big question mark.

Another question is who will invest in developing academies in the country? IGU does not have that kind of money. The so called ‘State Federations’ exists only on paper and with no role to play other than elections of the individuals in IGU council. Most of the State Federations are not even registered or affiliated to any State Olympic Associations. There are number of issues that need to be sorted before we could think of improving the state of the game in the country.

Talking about the high profile events, we can look at the visit of the biggest name in golf – Tiger Woods. Did it make any impact on the game of golf or its popularity? To organize a high profile event needs huge amount of investment who will invest if there are no returns.

Right now, what will it bring on table to the sponsors? Nothing! So why would a sponsor invest a huge sum of money? We had got Ernie Else for Indian Masters but it never really made much of a difference.

Do you think we could use more investments on the golfing front like the US and several European nations? Do you see investors making money off upcoming Indian golfing projects in the future?

Not at this stage, but yes, in fifteen years we would need some investments to build on for the future. You will be surprised to know that the total population of regular golfers in India is only around 40K. On the other hand, golf in China was introduced much later but they have succeeded in making it a part of their sporting culture.

The number of professional golfers they’ve added in the last 15 years would be more than what we’ve contributed in the last century.

Today many real estate builders advertise about golf course on their properties unfortunately it’s a patch of 5 – 7 acres of land, what their creating is aesthetically attractive green area instead of a garden or park. Golf course alone would never make any money. It’s the services and facilities that covers most of the costs. While I may sound pessimistic on this issue but there is some hope in future.

Other major issue is water. One will have to think of creating artificial turf golf courses in future not only in India but even in most of the other developing countries.

Another aspect is to find ways to remove the ‘Elitist’ tag attached to the game.

You’ve also been an Adventure Sports Consultant and an integral member of FICCI? Tell us more about the role.

I am basically trying to promote adventure sports. We have huge potential in land, air, water based adventure activity in India. I was a mountaineer, skier, sky diver rally driver, scuba diver and so want to use my experience to bring this sport within the reach of common man. You will shortly hear about a car rally that I am planning in association with FICCI – only for women, can tell you much about it now.

When it comes to adventure sports, have you seen the Indian perspective change in the past few years?

Yes, significantly! Look at the number of teenagers who climbed Everest, mountain bikes are selling like hot cakes, families are going out on treks, rafting holidays etc. so there is definite swing in right direction.

Do you think the likes of golf and adventure sports suffer because the younger generation doesn’t really have famous names to look up to?

No not really. In spite no big names in golf we continue to produce one odd hero regularly. We have so been producing so many Everesters too. Take the example of Shiva Keshavan – there is no Luge facility in India but this man has achieved wonders. We have produced world champions on several sporting fronts without any big names to look up to. It’s not really important but their presence can be an inspiration.

Do we need foundation schools for the teens to pick up these sports at an early age?

No. What we need is change of mind of Indian parents. Schools need to offer some kind of sport curriculum. You will be surprised to know that there are over 600 colleges offering sports courses in India, yet many of us are not even aware of it. Though the mindset of Indians is changing but will take its due time as this is mainly localised to urban areas. Schools and colleges will always play the most important role in promoting sports culture besides home environment amongst the teens.

Do you think the last decade or so has seen Indians more willing to pick up sports other than cricket? What do you think has been critical to this change of perspective?

The basic change is not every one can be a Tendulkar. The lesser known sports are also offering better returns in terms of monetary benefits. They are less competitive as compared to cricket where to get a chance to play for a local club is also tough due to large number of good cricketers.

Also, the time factor is also an important issue. Cricket takes away large portion of time from hours to days ( T20 to Test matches, etc.) where as other sports except for golf have much shorter duration of game time that provide time to pursue other interests as well.

How has sports made an impact on your daily routine? What is that one thing about sports that has always attracted you?

Discipline, commitment & camaraderie – I think sports have been crucial in teaching me the importance of these virtues in life.

What sports do you love to play? Who is that one player you look up to?

I love to play Golf & Skiing whenever I can. And Tendulkar as a sportsperson, will always be someone I’d look up to for what he’s achieved in the game.