Raipur/New Delhi, Feb 26(.) Chhattisgarh has moved to position itself on India’s emerging golf map. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday held detailed discussions with Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) President, Padma Bhushan, Kapil Dev on developing world class golf infrastructure in Nava Raipur.
The interaction signals a calibrated push to leverage sport as a catalyst for tourism, investment and regional branding. Senior state officials and PGTI leadership described the engagement as an exploratory but significant step towards building championship standard facilities capable of hosting global tournaments.
The meeting was attended by Subodh Kumar Singh (IAS), senior representatives of the Chhattisgarh government, and PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl. Deliberations centred on creating an international championship golf course aligned with global professional standards.
Under the broad framework discussed, the state government would facilitate land allocation and institutional support. PGTI, in turn, would work to attract private investment, technical expertise and international partnerships. The long term objective is to establish a venue equipped to host major professional events, support elite training academies and anchor golf tourism initiatives.
The discussions also explored expanding the tournament footprint of Central India by bringing more professional events to Raipur and adjoining regions. PGTI leadership underlined that widening the competitive circuit beyond traditional metropolitan centres can nurture new talent pipelines, stimulate youth participation and strengthen sports linked tourism economies.
Another important dimension was the possibility of a Nava Raipur franchise in ’72 The League’, India’s newly introduced franchise based professional golf format. If pursued, the move could help build a distinct regional sporting identity, deepen corporate engagement and place Chhattisgarh within the country’s evolving sports business ecosystem.
PGTI representatives highlighted global trends showing a strong linkage between golf infrastructure and tourism growth. Regions that invest in international-standard courses often generate broader economic activity spanning hospitality, real estate, conferences and global sporting events.
Officials indicated that the proposed collaboration aligns with the wider national ambition of Viksit Bharat, where emerging urban centres are expected to play a larger role in driving economic diversification through sport and tourism.
While discussions remain at a conceptual stage, the engagement reflects a broader vision of Nava Raipur as more than an administrative capital. If institutional backing and investment participation converge, the city could evolve into a recognised championship golf destination, reinforcing Chhattisgarh’s growing footprint in India’s sports and tourism landscape.
. SRC .