The Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) partners with Special Olympics Bharat via an MoU to empower athletes with intellectual disabilities, launching nationwide coaching camps, grassroots Golf On Wheels programmes, and dedicated national championships across India.
In a milestone development for inclusive sports in India, the Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) has formally entered into a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Special Olympics Bharat. The signing took place on Tuesday at the Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi, marking the start of a collaborative mission to introduce, nurture, and elevate golf for children and adults with intellectual disabilities nationwide.
The formal signing was led by Dr. Mallika Nadda, President of Special Olympics Bharat, alongside Pratiek Talukdar, Director of Sports at Special Olympics Bharat. High-ranking dignitaries from the IGPL side included Manav Jaini, Director of Bharath Golf Private Limited; Akhil Nayar, Director of IGPL; Uttam Singh Mundy, Chief Executive Officer; and Ishan Desouza, Director. Together, the leadership of both organisations ratified a shared roadmap focused on equal access, elite development, and structural inclusion in the Indian sporting ecosystem.
The ceremony carried an inspiring atmosphere, as several young Special Olympics athletes and their families attended the signing, sharing the stage with sports administrators and professional golfers.
The partnership kicks off immediately with an intensive 10-day coaching camp scheduled from October 1 to October 10. Nationally certified coach Anup Singh will oversee the full duration of the training camp, mentoring Special Olympics Bharat coaches and working directly with athletes on fundamental techniques, course etiquette, and motor skill enhancement.
Beyond this initial camp, the collaboration establishes a permanent pipeline for inclusive golf. IGPL has committed to supplying qualified, certified coaching personnel for upcoming Special Olympics Bharat clinics. Joint training sessions will focus equally on high-performance athlete development and structured coach education. Furthermore, IGPL will organise an exclusive national championship tailored for Special Olympics golfers, creating an arena where IGPL tour professionals will offer live demonstrations and tee off alongside the athletes.
At the foundational level, the initiative introduces IGPL’s flagship “Golf On Wheels” program to Special Olympics Bharat’s vast network spanning more than 1,200 special schools. The mobile initiative aims to eliminate traditional barriers to golf by delivering clubs, hitting nets, simulators, and certified instructors directly into school campuses.
Highlighting the long-term impact of the alliance, Dr. Mallika Nadda remarked, “This partnership is not simply the signing of an agreement; it is a pathway for more children and adults with intellectual disabilities to discover golf, receive professional training and dream of representing India. With IGPL’s certified coaches, joint camps and a dedicated championship, our athletes will get the sustained support they need on the road to the World Summer Games in Santiago 2027.”
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Addressing the outreach potential of the school-based model, Dr. Nadda noted, “Children from special schools have never held a golf club or visited a golf course. By taking equipment and instructors directly into our schools, Golf On Wheels brings that first opportunity closer to them.”
With operational frameworks underway, both organisations are now executing the rollout of regular camps, simulator sessions, and tournament formats, setting an unprecedented standard for accessible golf in India.
