Anil Mane: An unsung ambassador of golf in India
The punch line “one man trapped between the two worlds, still chases his dreams” sums up Anil Mane’s aspirations.
Anil Mane is the probably the only slum dog golfer in the world, who, despite coming from a very poor background, managed to make it to the professional golf scene.
Although he is not as much a success story as one would have imagined before reading his tale but he has achieved with so less that which majority of the golfers fail to achieve with everything.
Plus, it is not a matter of success or failure but his determination, dreams and aspirations that are a jewel not for his individual self only but for golf in India and elsewhere too.
Once a caddie, now an aspiring golfer, Anil is a fascinating and unique case study. He is a rarity in the world of golf. One may have seen many footballers and cricketers who rose from rags to riches.
However, Anil is the only down-trodden and slum dog who took up the role of caddie with an aim to become a golfer. With little success, he did become a golfer.
Anil’s story would promote the game of golf in a country enthralled by the charms of cricket. He has effectively negated the commonly-held notions in third world countries that golf is for the rich.
Golf is a sport that attracts tourism and investment. Without a doubt, India is attracting investment interest from different business giants but tourism is of little significance in the country.
United Arab Emirates and Singapore are equipped with infrastructure, money, and tourism opportunities to be able to organize a mega golf event.
The popularity of cricket in India is beyond measure. Kapil Dev thinks that golf is as much for the elite today as cricket was 50 years ago. But cricket is a game that can be played in alleys and streets, if not professionally.
This may be cited as a strong reason for the popularity of cricket in India. Golf requires a vast tract of land which makes investment an inevitable aspect of the sport.
However, the story of Anil will certainly serve as an impetus for the popularity of the game in the country and neighbouring countries.
The majority of Indian population makes its living on menial jobs and golf has no appeal to them.
Golf is still considered a sport for the elite. On a professional level, India will need to develop hundreds of well-equipped and state-of-the-art golf courses.
Nevertheless, Anil has disproved all notions about the game which have hitherto impeded its popularity.
He must have lit the hopes among the poor lot whose aspirations for the sport blow out like a candle in the wind.
Anil has set an exemplary precedent that golf can provide a substantial source of income for the suffering and underpaid poor lot. The sport can be pursued as a means to end poverty. He himself won $1,400.
He certainly has a long way to go and prove his worth in the game. His ambitions may have been clouded by his personal world of hardship and poverty but he has set a lively example for the under-privileged class to follow.
Without a doubt, he is serving golf well. Regardless of his knowing the impact he is making, the game of golf will surely benefit from his story.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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