The MoU between PGTI and ISSO was signed by Mr. Amandeep Johl, CEO, PGTI (2nd from right) and Ms. Aakanksha Thapak, Director of the ISSO (2nd from left). The other dignitaries seen in the picture are Mr. Vikas Singh, Chief Business Officer, PGTI (extreme right) and Mr. Gaurav Dixit, Founder and Director, ISSO (extreme left)
NEW DELHI — While Indian golf has spent years establishing highly competitive professional tours and elite tournaments, the sport's next major frontier is building a widespread, mainstream golfing culture. That evolution may finally be taking root where future generations spend most of their time: in the classroom.
The DP World Professional Golf Tour of India (DP World PGTI) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International School Sports Organisation (ISSO). The partnership aims to address a long-standing gap in the country's sports landscape by introducing structured golf pathways directly into India’s international school ecosystem.
Under the new agreement, the PGTI will support ISSO-affiliated schools by providing technical expertise, certified coaches, and workshops on golf fundamentals and etiquette. The initiative is designed to go beyond teaching basic swing mechanics, focusing instead on introducing young students to the core values, culture, and long-term career and athletic opportunities the sport can offer.
Globally, historically successful golfing nations rely on robust school and university sports systems to help junior players transition into elite amateur circuits and the professional ranks. In contrast, young athletes in India have traditionally depended heavily on expensive private coaching, isolated golf academies, and family-driven support structures.
This reliance on private funding and individual initiatives has frequently left a "missing middle layer" between competitive junior golf and the professional game. While the collaboration between ISSO and the PGTI may not solve this systemic issue overnight, it signals a distinct shift in strategy. Instead of focusing resources solely on top-tier professional events, the governing body is looking toward grassroots participation and baseline awareness.
"Golf is a sport that teaches discipline, patience, integrity, and focus—values that go far beyond the course. Through this partnership, we aim to make golf more accessible to young students and provide them with structured opportunities to learn, compete, and grow."
— Aakanksha Thapak, Director of the International School Sports Organisation (ISSO)
"Introducing the sport at the school level is essential for long-term growth and talent development. Through this collaboration, we hope to inspire more young students to take up golf and benefit from the immense opportunities the sport offers."
— Amandeep Johl, Chief Executive Officer of the DP World PGTI
"Partnering with PGTI allows us to bring golf closer to young athletes in a structured and engaging manner. Our aim is to provide our students with quality exposure and opportunities from an early stage to help shape character and broaden opportunities beyond traditional pathways."
— Gaurav Dixit, Co-Director and Founder of ISSO
For a sport that historically battles perceptions of exclusivity, limited accessibility, and a quiet spectator culture in India, building early exposure inside school walls represents a crucial strategy. Cultivating an audience and a player pool at the student level could ultimately become one of the most significant long-term investments for the game's future in the country.
