PGTI chief Johl pitches world-class golf courses in Naya Raipur, DP World Tour bid
Synopsis
The PGTI chief's pitch to Chhattisgarh officials signals a pivotal moment for Indian golf's geographic expansion. With Naya Raipur already hosting professional tournaments, a DP World Tour event here would reshape how smaller states compete for global sporting capital — and the tourism and employment spillovers that follow.
Key Takeaways
PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl met Chhattisgarh Principal Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh on 30 April to discuss golf infrastructure and international tournaments.
The focus: developing world-class golf courses in Naya Raipur and securing a future DP World Tour event.
The SECL Chhattisgarh Open has already established Naya Raipur as a viable venue on the professional golf circuit.
Golf development is positioned as a driver of sports tourism, employment, and economic diversification in allied sectors.
Both PGTI and state officials committed to exploring collaboration on course development and tournament hosting frameworks.
Amandeep Johl, Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), on 30 April met Subodh Kumar Singh, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, to chart a roadmap for elevating the state into a global golf destination. The meeting in Raipur centred on developing international-standard golf courses in Naya Raipur and securing a future DP World Tour event to place the region on the world golfing stage.
Who attended the deliberations
Present alongside Singh were Ankit Anand, IAS, Chairman of the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority (NRDA), and Rajat Kumar, IAS, Secretary of Industries and Commerce. The three-way dialogue underscored the state administration's focus on sports infrastructure as an economic lever.
What the discussions covered
Johl briefed officials on PGTI's expanding footprint under the DP World calendar and outlined how golf development can unlock revenue streams in tourism, hospitality, and employment generation. The state team highlighted the success of the SECL Chhattisgarh Open, which demonstrated Nava Raipur's readiness to host professional tournaments and signalled golf's spread beyond traditional metropolitan strongholds.
The infrastructure vision
Discussions zeroed in on constructing world-class golfing facilities and allied infrastructure — clubhouses, accommodation, and dining — that would position Chhattisgarh as a competitive destination for professional and leisure golf. The state sees golf-linked sports tourism as a vehicle for youth engagement, skill development, and economic diversification in allied sectors.
The DP World Tour ambition
A flagship outcome of the meeting was the mutual interest in hosting a DP World Tour event in Chhattisgarh — a move that would elevate the state's sporting profile internationally and attract global talent and investment. This comes as professional golf in India gains momentum, with the PGTI calendar now spanning multiple states and drawing sponsorship from multinational corporations.
What comes next
Both sides committed to exploring collaboration frameworks for golf development initiatives and future tournament hosting. The state government is expected to fast-track feasibility studies for new course sites and coordinate with PGTI and DP World on event timelines and sponsorship architecture. This marks a strategic shift in how Indian states are leveraging niche sports to diversify their economic footprint.
Point of View
Professional golf was Delhi–Mumbai–Bangalore. Now, with the SECL Chhattisgarh Open proving that a second-tier city can host and execute, the PGTI is betting on decentralisation — and state governments are listening. If Naya Raipur lands a DP World Tour stop, it won't just be a golf story; it will validate the model of leveraging niche sports for regional economic branding. The real test is execution: Indian states have a mixed track record on sports infrastructure follow-through.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl discuss with Chhattisgarh officials?
Johl met with state officials to discuss developing international-standard golf courses in Naya Raipur and the possibility of hosting a DP World Tour event in Chhattisgarh. The meetings also covered how golf development can drive sports tourism, employment, and economic growth in allied sectors.
Why is Naya Raipur being positioned as a golf destination?
Naya Raipur has already successfully hosted the SECL Chhattisgarh Open, proving its capability to stage professional tournaments. The state now aims to leverage this momentum by building world-class golf infrastructure and attracting international events like the DP World Tour.
What is the DP World Tour and why does it matter for Chhattisgarh?
The DP World Tour is a premier professional golf circuit. Hosting a DP World Tour event would elevate Chhattisgarh's global sporting profile, attract international talent and investment, and position the state as a destination for premium sports tourism.
Who attended the meeting in Raipur?
The meeting included PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl, Principal Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh, NRDA Chairman Ankit Anand, and Industries and Commerce Secretary Rajat Kumar — all IAS officers — signalling high-level state government commitment.
How can golf development benefit Chhattisgarh's economy?
Golf infrastructure and events can generate revenue through sports tourism, create employment in hospitality and allied sectors, attract youth participation in the sport, and position the state as an emerging destination for professional and leisure golf.
