For me Kashmir is safer than Delhi, says ace golfer Shiv Kapur

One of the top golfers of India and the man who has been playing golf in top tournaments around the World, Shiv Kapur on Sunday said that Kashmir is safer than Delhi and he prefers to visit Kashmir along with his family.

Kapur said this during the 7th JK Golf Association tournament that concluded at Royal Springs Golf Course in which over 90 golfers from the State and other parts of the Country participated.

   

On his second visit to Kashmir, Shiv Kapur, a former Asian Games gold medalist in golf currently holding world ranking of 255 said that he has come to Kashmir this time along with his one-year old daughter as Kashmir is totally safe for tourists.

“Last year it was my first visit to Kashmir as part of coaching clinic in Srinagar. During that trip I visited almost all the areas as well as Old City without any security. I roamed freely in whole city, had tea on road side and never felt any type of threat. My last visit encouraged me to bring my one-year old daughter with me this time to Kashmir. If there would be any level of threat then I would never had done that,” Kapur said.

“Personally, after my two trips to Kashmir, having travelled to many countries in the world, I can say it with authority that Kashmir is safe and even safer than Delhi for tourists. Whatever negative perception I have found, it is only in media. At ground level, the situation is entirely different,” Kapur said.

Kapur has been one of the stalwarts of Indian golf. He had a successful amateur career as well winning an individual gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games. Kapur’s biggest professional victory came when he won the Volvo Masters of Asia in 2005. He also played the 2014 US Open, where he finished tied 23rd and the Open Championship, where he finished tied 73rd. 

KASHMIR COURSES ARE THE BEST

Shiv Kapur said that the two golf courses in Kashmir which he has seen are among the best in the World, while RSGC is the best in Asia.

“I have already said it last year that Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) is the best in entire Asia and after seeing Lidder Valley Golf Course in Pahalgam this time, I am in awe of that as well. The Kashmir courses are the best and I am saying this after being to some of the best and beautiful courses around the World,” Kapur said.

“Not many people in India are aware that Kashmir has got such beautiful and well-maintained golf courses. In India the beauty and natural scenery of these courses is unmatched and J&K Government should promote its golf courses in big way around the country and the world,” he said.

GET GOLF OUT OF ‘ELITE SPORT’ TAG

While giving his suggestions on making golf popular in J&K and produce quality golfers, Shiv Kapur said that there is need to make it every body’s sport and remove the tag ‘Elite Sport’ from golf. 

“Without the involvement of youth and masses, golf will remain in its current perspective of being ‘Elite Sport’. There is need of involving youth in the sport and making it everybody’s game. Once the ‘Elite Sport’ tag will be removed, the game will in itself prosper,” he said.

Regarding the emerging golfers of Kashmir, he said, “Among the seniors I have no idea but last year while being part of coaching clinic I did came through 10-year old girl who had come all the way from South Kashmir. I think her name was Fatima and she had come all the way from rural area after boarding two to three busses. I was impressed with her game. She possessed natural talent and if nurtured well, she can turn into an ace golfer”.

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