New Delhi, April 2 Former India all-rounder and World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh said on Thursday that cricketers should take up golf from a young age to cope with the stress of their primary profession.
Yuvraj, who has become an avid golfer after retirement, has been named as the brand ambassador of the second Indian Golf Premier League.
"They (cricketers) should play golf along with cricket. I should have played golf earlier, which would have helped me in cricket. Golf actually helps you relax and relieve stress," Yuvraj said at the unveiling of the 10 franchises of the IGPL, the schedule of which is yet to be finalized.
"For example, all foreign cricketers – Australians, Kiwis, English, South Africans – have been playing golf since they were young kids."
Yuvraj said that golf is considered an elite sport, but it is a game that is accessible to everyone through public courses.
"We see golf as an elite sport, but we want every child in India to try golf. We are trying to introduce golf to schools, and I believe that every child should try every sport."
"I know that cricket is our biggest game, but golf is also an exciting game that everyone should try. As someone who has represented India, I want to help in other sports as well," he said.
"The league (IGPL) will make this game exciting and promote the sport. More children will pick up the sport, watch it on TV, and be encouraged to play. It will create opportunities in the sport and help secure the future of children, and it is our responsibility," he added.
This year's IGPL will feature 10 franchises and 15 events throughout the year, including five overseas tournaments – Mauritius, Congo, South Africa, and two in Morocco.
The icing on the cake is the association with LIV golf, which has become a strategic partner of IGPL. The IGPL has also been integrated with the professional tour.
The Thursday event was also attended by tennis great Leander Paes, who is a co-owner of the Kolkata franchise in the league, and IGPL CEO Uttam Singh Mundy.
