Parents Section
Parents have an important role in the development of their children as
sportsmen. This obviously also applies to Golf. Parents can assist skill
development’ by encouraging their children to think about the skills they are
mastering. Also when the child perceives parental involvement as positive, it
leads to greater enjoyment in the sport. The importance of a parent’s role in
youth development is unquestionable. GolfPlus in a one on one with one such
parent Mr. Kamal Kant father of leading junior Lavanya Gupta.
Mr. Kamal Kant (R) with daughter Lavanya
GPJ: How and when did you
initiate your child into golf? have supported till now and will
in the coming future as well.
KK: Lavanya from the childhood
has been a very active and
energetic girl. Once she saw me
hitting few golf balls on the golf
course, she got excited and tried
hitting few balls with a borrowed
junior golf club. She was 8 yrs
then. She’s got great motor and
coordination skills which made
her more con¿ dent going forward. GPJ: “Golf builds
character,” What is your
take on it?
GPJ: How often does she
play?
KK: Though there’s a lot of
studies pressure but Lavanya tries
to practice thrice a week apart
from playing 1 or 2 tournaments a month.
GPJ: What is her practice regime?
KK: Lavanya practices on her own apart from taking
regular lessons from her coach Mr. Amit Dube, at Noida
Golf Course.
GPJ: What are the traits to be successful in golf?
KK: Whether it’s any sport it requires good energy,
discipline, balance of mind and the willpower to compete
and succeed. In golf particularly lots of patient, practice
and concentration is a necessary.
GPJ: In your opinion are there enough
opportunities to take up golf as a carrier in
India?
KK: In India sports particularly has not much of
importance as a carrier due to much of unwanted
interferences, lack of basic facilities and infrastructure.
Golf as a carrier in India may be a good option if basic
infrastructure for the players improves.
GPJ: What are your future aspirations for your
child in golf?
KK: We have entirely left this on Lavanya on what she
really wants to do. Her decision for the future is what we
30
GolfPlus Junior August-September 2018
KK: Golf is a solo game thus it’s
played with lots of will power
and initiative. It’s a sport which
teaches you the skill to face
challenges, resolve solutions
and take best decisions. Since
the ball is played ‘as it lies’ thus
making golf among more of a
natural and a practical sport.
End of the day Golf takes out
the good character from every
human being.
GPJ: What is your take on IGU’s role?
KK: IGU could play a major role in India by promoting
Junior golf tournaments and conducting golf lessons and
rules clinics on regular basis. They may also facilitate
complimentary golf games for the leader board Junior
golfers.
GPJ: Is the government contributing towards
shaping the future of golf?
KK: Golf is being regulated by IGU in India, One of
the Government undertaking organisations. More basic
infrastructure and facilities should be provided by the
government for giving golf as a bright upcoming sport in
India.
GPJ: Highlight the parent’s contribution
towards the development of a junior golfers?
KK: Parents play a major role in every phase of a child’s
life, be it studies or sports. I think parent – child sync is
must for making the child follow discipline. Golf as a
game require long playing hours under challenging natural
conditions like summer, winter or rains therefore a good
¿ tness regime and healthy eating habits are must for
parents to initiate in the junior golfers.