Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) President Kapil Dev on Monday, 8 June expressed strong confidence in India's next generation of golfers ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, pledging comprehensive institutional backing from the PGTI to the six-member squad. The governing body confirmed that at least one or two officials would travel to Japan to provide on-ground support to the athletes.

The Squad India Will Field

The Indian Golf Union (IGU) has named a six-member contingent for the continental showpiece. Aditi Ashok (World No. 135), a regular on the LPGA Tour and the individual silver medallist at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, will captain the women's team alongside Diksha Dagar (World No. 221) and Pranavi Urs (World No. 270). On the men's side, rising PGTI star Yuvraj Sandhu (World No. 451) leads a contingent that includes Veer Ahlawat (World No. 558) and Saptak Talwar (World No. 576). The entries were finalised in accordance with the IGU's selection policy.

What Kapil Dev Said

The 1983 World Cup-winning captain and PGTI chief noted that the gap between established stars and emerging talent has narrowed considerably. 'I think it's very good. There's not much of a difference these days as all the young people are coming through. They are consistently delivering performances, and I just hope that during that crucial week, they can keep their nerves and play better,' he said.

Kapil confirmed he would not be travelling to Japan personally, but added: 'Our office people — maybe one or two individuals — will travel to provide them with that comfort level, whatever support we can extend from the PGTI side.' He also offered a word of mentorship for the squad, emphasising mental discipline as the decisive factor. 'The mantra is just to work hard and focus on yourself. The real test lies in maintaining that focus when you are chasing ultimate glory,' he said.

India's Golf Legacy at the Asian Games

India carries a formidable record in golf at the Asian Games, having claimed three gold and three silver medals across editions. The landmark team gold came at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, where Lakshman Singh, Rishi Narain, Amit Luthra, and Rajeev Mohta triumphed — with Lakshman Singh also taking individual gold. Shiv Kapur clinched the individual gold at the 2002 Busan Asian Games. Team India won silver at the 2006 Doha edition with Anirban Lahiri, Gaganjeet Bhullar, and Joseph Chakola, and again at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games through Rashid Khan, Rahul Bajaj, Abhinav Lohan, and Abhijit Singh Chadha.

Why This Campaign Matters

Yuvraj Sandhu arrives at the Aichi-Nagoya Games on the back of a record-breaking domestic season, giving India a credible medal contender on the men's side for the first time in years. Aditi Ashok, who narrowly missed gold in Hangzhou, will be seeking to upgrade her silver. This is also the first Asian Games cycle in which PGTI's institutional involvement has been formalised at the squad-support level, signalling a broader push to professionalise Indian golf's international pipeline.