Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Selection of Indian Golf Team
For the year 2023
Introduction
The Indian Golf Union is the Governing body for Golf in India and is responsible for Selection of Amateur Golf Teams to represent India and the IGU in International events. Selection of players is a very important aspect of the game, which dictates the image and prestige of the country in the international arena in the particular field. Accordingly the Selection Committee has been formed being headed by the President himself. The selection committee consists of the following:
- Mr Brijinder Singh – President & Chairman
- Mr Harish Shetty – Hony Secretary & Member
- Mr Jayant Tagore – Member
- Ms Vandana Agarwal – Member
- Mr Manav Das – Member
- Mr Nagesh Singh – Member
Purpose
The purpose is to make a very comprehensive document, which would decide the selection criteria while selecting a National team to represent our country. The IGU has categorized International events in three categories:- a. Mandatory events b. Events where invites are received from various countries. c. Events planned for International exposure and competitions. For selection of players mentioned in para 2(b) and para 2(c), would be decided from the National squad only, which has been dealt in detail in subsequent paragraphs. The names of mandatory events are following:- a. Asian Games (Men & Women) b. Nomura Cup (Men) c. Queen Sirikit Cup (Women) d. Youth Olympic Games (Junior Boys & Girls) * e. Asian Youth Games (Junior Boys & Girls) ** For Asian Youth Games and Youth Olympic Games, the team shall be selected as per the Age and Eligibility conditions laid down by the Event Organizers.
Selection Criteria
For Olympic Games – The players are selected as per the Olympic Golf Rankings prepared by the International Golf Federation (IGF). More information on the Olympic Golf Rankings can be found on www.igfgolf.org For the Asian Games – There shall be selection trials held for the Asian Games. The players will be invited from the Overall World Golf Rankings, Rolex Rankings, Asian Golf Tour Rankings, PGTI Rankings, WGAI Rankings, amateur golfers from the IGU Order of Merit and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The selection trials will be held over three days plus one practice round. In addition, exceptionally talented players who are top in the overall world golf rankings and Rolex rankings and have a proven track record may be nominated by the IGU Selection Committee to participate in the Asian Games as they would be the potential medal winners. For the mandatory events mentioned in para 4 above, selection Trials shall be held for all these events. All members of the National Squad will be called for participation in the Selection Trials. Players whose Order of Merit ranking is higher than any of the NS Players will also be invited for the selection trials subject to a maximum of 15 players. In addition, exceptionally talented Indian golfers either studying abroad or are among Top 10 Indians in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) will be considered for the trials by the Selection Committee. Selection Trials shall be held well in advance before the commencement of the event. Eligible players shall be informed by the IGU Selection Committee via email. Selection Trials will be held over minimum three (03) rounds of Golf to be played at one or more venues as set forth and decided by the Selection Committee. The selection trials will have a Tournament Director (TD) and Referee(s) to run the event. Conditions of Play shall be published before each selection trial by the Tournament Director for information of all eligible players. The Selection Committee of the IGU shall decide the team based on the performance at the selection trials, Indian order of merit, WAGR and OWGR. Selection of Players for events where invite has been received by an NSF of a foreign Country, the team members shall be selected from the National Squad. For events where IGU decides to send a team for International Exposures the Selection Committee can also select team members from outside the National Squad as well. The selection of team members for any event where selection trial is not to be conducted, the team shall be announced well in advance prior to the commencement of the International event. Any player not agreeing to play an international event may not be considered for the next event or foreign exposure(s). Exemption shall be made to this point if selection committee feels a player had a compelling reason to refuse.
Coaching Camp
A conditioning camp may be organized one week prior to the departure of the team wherein it shall be mandatory for all selected players to attend the camp. The camp shall be headed by the National Coach / Assistant Coach and shall also have the presence of support staff. The team shall arrive at the venue one day before the practice round and shall depart the venue the day after the completion of the event. All selected players shall necessarily adhere to the travel dates as decided and approved by the IGU.
Team manager and coach
The President / Chairman of the Selection Committee shall select the Team Manager and coach to accompany the team for the event. The team manager shall coordinate with all the team members and with event organizers of the particular country with regards to their logistics and administrative arrangements. He will also be responsible for organizing visas, air tickets, hotel bookings etc. All team members shall strictly adhere to the instructions at all times as conveyed by the Team Manager. Any player failing to adhere to the instructions shall face strict penalties as decided by the Selection and Disciplinary Committee of the IGU.
Kitting of the team
The following golf kits are likely be given to all members of the Team: T Shirts Trousers Golf balls (Titleist Prov1/1x) Shoes (Once a year only) Caps The T shirt, trousers and caps shall be given to the players accompanying the team if they have not received the same. In the preceding six months, however they will be given new supply of balls. The Selection criteria shall be reviewed periodically and any changes so made shall be published on the IGU website. Not withstanding all of the above, the final decision on the selection of team will always rest with the selection committee.
National Squad
The Indian Golf Union is re - introducing the concept of National Squad (NS) Program with a view to imparting specialized training to the top ranking players on the OOM of the IGU. Training and conditioning of NS and selection of teams / players for international competitions from the NS will therefore become an essential and focal part of the National Squad Program. The NS has been constituted to help the top players of the country in categories of Junior Boys, Ladies & Junior Girls and Gentlemen to benefit by having structured help from professionals in the field of Golf Fitness, Golf Skills, Physio & Golf Psychology. Formation of NS, its coaching & training will be an on-going programme. The suggested Squad strength shall be as below: Gentlemen - 10 from the Gentlemen’s OOM Junior Boys – 10 from the Junior A (Combined) OOM (including minimum of four Cat B Boys) Ladies & Junior Girls – 10 from the Ladies OOM (including minimum four Junior Girls). Players will be inducted in the NS once every 3 months based on the ranking in the Order of Merit of Gentlemen, Junior Boys (Cat A-B Combined OOM), Ladies & Junior Girls (Ladies OOM). A detailed guideline for National Squad shall be published separately for information of all stakeholders.
Responsibilities of Selection Committee Members
Mr Brijinder Singh, President & Chairman, Selection Committee – President has the overall responsibility of the Committee and shall have the final decision on matters pertaining to Selection. He will select the Team Manager for a particular event and issue broad directions to him regarding all logistics and administrative issues when the team is in the Country and also during International travel. Mr Harish Shetty, Member, Selection Committee – In spite most meticulously and methodically planned selection procedures, there might be likelihood of complaints in the Selection process as well as disciplinary issues. Lt Gen Mistry shall be responsible of all complaints and disciplinary matters as he is also the Chairman of the IGU Disciplinary Committee. Mr Jayant Tagore, Member, Selection Committee – As sending a team for International events involves detailed planning and execution Mr Jayant Tagore along with DG IGU shall be responsible conducting of coaching camps, Travel plans and other administrative and logistic details. Mr Sundeep Verma, Members Selection Committee – who has been a professional for many years would be responsible for formulating the training directive, appointing trainers / coaches, physiotherapists and psychologist for coaching camps along with their remuneration and also selecting the venue for camps. Mr Manav Das and Mr Nagesh Singh Members, Selection Committee – They would be responsible for actual conduct of coaching camps being organized before sending the team for any International events. They shall ensure proper physical and mental training is imparted to the players. They shall also ensure proper kits have been issued to them and any shortfall is compensated.
Conclusion
The SOP has been made keeping in mind that the best players represent our country in the international events and bring fame and glory. The SOP may get modified from time to time based on genuine valuable inputs.