Historic Inclusion of Special Olympics Golfers at IGPL Chandigarh 2026
A Milestone for Inclusive Golf
The Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) achieved a remarkable milestone during its Invitational 2026 event held at the Chandigarh Golf Club from March 11 to 13. This year, the league welcomed three golfers from the Special Olympics—Ranveer Singh Saini, Kushagra Gaur, and Mohit Kumar—to compete alongside professional players.
This event was a significant step towards promoting inclusivity in sports. Indian golf icon and defending champion Gaganjeet Bhullar emerged victorious at the IGPL Invitational Chandigarh 2026, while the Special Olympics participants witnessed this impressive achievement, as noted in a press release.
Ranveer Singh Saini, hailing from Gurgaon, is a trailblazer as the first autistic Indian golfer and a three-time medalist at the Special Olympics World Games, with accolades including Gold in Los Angeles (2015), Silver in Abu Dhabi (2019), and Gold in Berlin (2023). He is also a 13-time National Champion and has received the National Award in Sports from the President of India.
Mohit Kumar, a 21-year-old from Hisar, is an emerging talent who recently secured second place at the Special Olympics Bharat National Golf Championship and is a strong contender for the upcoming Special Olympics World Summer Games in Santiago, Chile.
On this historic occasion, Ranveer's father, Kartikeya Saini, expressed, “IGPL's initiative to invite these young golfers to play alongside top Indian golfers is a monumental step forward.”
“Ranveer, Kushagra, and Mohit have developed a wonderful camaraderie, celebrating each other's successes with high fives and hugs after great putts. The IGPL has fostered a sense of community among players with disabilities,” added Mr. Saini.
Kushagra Gaur, also from Gurgaon, is an international gold medalist from the Macau Special Olympics Golf Masters and has been competing on the IGU North India Feeder Tour against mainstream professionals. Both he and Ranveer train at the DLF Golf and Country Club and are recognized in the Limca Book of Records.
Kushagra's journey into golf began with cricket. His mother recalls how his natural talent for hitting boundaries led them to consider a sport that emphasized individual skill and technical prowess, making golf an ideal fit.
Reflecting on her son's transition from cricket to golf, Kushagra's mother shared, “He easily hit boundaries in school, so we thought golf was about hitting. We never let him feel limited; we encouraged him to break barriers.”
Shweta Gaur, Kushagra's mother, expressed gratitude towards IGPL, stating, “Since 2018, he has been competing in the IGU Feeder, improving his game significantly. His scores improved from double digits to single digits, showcasing his potential.”
“Playing 18 holes demands discipline and determination. I always believed in Kushagra's potential, and when IGPL reached out, we were overjoyed,” she added.
The Chandigarh Invitational is part of the IGPL's international tour, which includes locations like India, Mauritius, Congo, and South Africa. For the families of the Special Olympic athletes, this invitation represented much more than just a chance to play; it fostered a strong bond among the three athletes throughout the event.
With support from LIV Golf, the IGPL is paving the way for Indian golfers, including those with disabilities, to participate in an international golf series. For Special Olympics golfers who have competed globally, this partnership signifies a groundbreaking opportunity to be recognized simply as golfers, not as a separate category. Chandigarh 2026 marks the beginning of this transformative journey.