PGTI paves way for dope testing of golfers

With anti-doping regulations and framework already being in place on most of the international golf tours, Indian golfers playing at the international stage had already been subject to the said rules and procedure in the past.

Indian golfer Rahil Gangjee in action at the PGTI Eagleburg Masters.

The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), which has completed 10 years, has adopted the anti-doping rules paving the way for dope testing of professional golfers.

With anti-doping regulations and framework already being in place on most of the international golf tours, Indian golfers playing at the international competitions have already been subject to these rules and procedures.

Since golf has become part of the Olympics after making being played in the Rio Games, the “need for having an anti-doping structure on the PGTI Tour had become even more imperative,” said a PGTI release on Saturday.

The PGTI has outsourced an agency which would conduct dope tests during the tour.

“The deck has now been cleared for the actual implementation of the anti-doping rules later this year when golfers will start undergoing random dope tests on a regular basis,” said the release.

“The PGTI’s objective of enforcing international anti-doping rules on its tour has been to provide a level-playing field to all professionals and conform to global standards in this sphere. The PGTI took the initiative of introducing its members to the concept of doping over a year back. Players were educated about the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ of doping through a series of workshops and the distribution of exhaustive literature on the subject,” it added.

PGTI Director Uttam Singh Mundy said, “The PGTI’s anti-doping mechanism, due for implementation later this year, will go a long way in further raising the stature of the tour and upholding the spirit of the sport.”