Chandigarh Golf League organisers to constitute committee for resolving stakeholders’ grievances

Deepankar Sharda

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Chandigarh, July 18

In a bid to resolve the differences, the Chandigarh Golf League (CGL) organising committee finally managed to pacify all participating teams and ensured them of forming an independent committee before the start of the fourth edition of the CGL-2025 in order to resolve their grievances.

The CGL is the annual showpiece event of the Chandigarh Golf Club (CGC) and recently witnessed opposition by nearly 11 teams, who alleged disinterest of the organising committee in resolving their grievances. However, a meeting took place on Wednesday evening, wherein all 20 owners of the participating teams were called and a consensus was reached over the conditions of play. It has also been decided to organise the third edition of the CGL from September 12 to October 12.

The 11 teams had submitted their suggestions against the change of rules and demanded a meeting to resolve the matter. The teams had claimed that instead of allowing players from three handicap categories, the organisers are planning to allow only two (0-9 and 9-16) in an event (capping the number of players in the third handicap category).

“The teams have understood all conditions of play and have agreed to go ahead with their participation in the CGL. In order to resolve their problems, it has been decided to form an independent committee to add or subtract from the current conditions of the play before hosting the CGL-2025,” said Dr Agnish Rajesh, Chairman, CGL organising committee.

He further said, “It has been decided to organise the league at a stretch for one month. The stakeholders are an important part of this league and we have agreed to go ahead with the current rules in order to make this league a success. Indifferences will be resolved without making any excuses.”

Auction to be held for one team

While 20 teams from the last edition confirmed their participation in the upcoming CGL, one team has surrendered its stakes. The CGL committee will now hold a fresh auction on July 24 to make additions to the league. “One team has pulled out for the upcoming league. A fresh auction will be held on July 24, wherein franchisees will be able to bid for making the team and also include players,” said Rajesh.

Last year, a total of 21 teams and 378 players competed in the league-cum-knock tournament. The teams were divided into three groups in the round-robin stage. The top 12 teams qualified for the Super-12 knockout stage. The top four teams directly qualify for the quarterfinals, with the remaining four joined them through a knockout Super-12 pre-quarterfinal. The winning team, Captain’s 18, had bagged Rs 12 lakh.

Drama continues at CGA

While the CGL teams were busy finding a solution, the problem at the Chandigarh Golf Range (CGR) under Chandigarh Golf Association (CGA) continues as one of the banks froze the CGA accounts after CGR members filed a complaint to banks.

“The bank had received a letter from their headquarters and this action of theirs was just a temporary step. They have assured us to remove the ban on transactions by tomorrow. The bank has committed a mistake and we will take action against the authorities. There’s no police complaint or legal orders for the bank to take such a step,” said SK Sharma, president, CGA.

Some members of the CGR had written letters to the banks over the alleged misuse of funds (raised by the CGR members) by the CGA executive committee. The CGR members and CGA managing committee are already at loggerheads over their stakes in keeping the power.