Golf club to turn golf academy

Thiruvananthapuram: With the government accepting the Sports Authority of India proposal for the takeover of Trivandrum Golf Club in principle, the stage is set for the first golf academy of the country in the capital.

The cabinet meeting here on Wednesday decided to hand over the golf club to SAI.  Chief  Minister Oommen Chandy told mediapersons that  since a case was pending before the Supreme Court, the final decision would be subject to the verdict. However, the rights of the existing members of  the club would be protected, he added.

SAI director Jiji Thomson told DC that the government will have to file an affidavit before the Supreme Court conveying its decision. The apex court, while constituting a management committee headed by the chief secretary, had directed that any change or decision concerning the golf club should be conveyed to it before implementation.

Once the SC grants clearance, the government will have to issue a formal order transferring the land to SAI on  mutually acceptable conditions. 

Jiji Thomson said,  “We are setting up a public golf course and golf academy which will attract  boys and girls to the sport which is generally considered elitist,’’ he added.

Most  members of the club  feel the SAI decision will bring in more funds, international facilities  and result in better upkeep of the golf course. “We all are for the takeover,’’  said Reghuchandran Nair, member of the club and Kerala secretary general of Confederation of  Real Estate Developers Association of  India (CREDAI).