Uncertainty looms over Bangladeshi golfers in PGTI as sporting ties turn sour with India
The uncertainty directly impacts prominent Bangladeshi golfers like Siddikur Rahman, Jamal Hossain, and Md Akbar Hossain
The future of Bangladeshi golfers on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) remains in limbo as the cross-border sporting rift continues to widen.
India's cricket legend and current PGTI President Kapil Dev stated today (5 December) that no decision has yet been taken regarding the participation of Bangladeshi players in upcoming tournaments.
The move comes amid a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two neighbours, triggered by recent developments in cricket.
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"We haven't taken any decision on it yet. We will sit down and discuss the matter," Kapil told reporters in New Delhi on the sidelines of a launch event for PGTI's new franchise-based league, '72 The League'.
He also declined to comment on Bangladesh Cricket Board's move to approach the ICC for a venue change from India.
The uncertainty directly impacts prominent Bangladeshi golfers like Siddikur Rahman, Jamal Hossain, and Md Akbar Hossain.
Cricket spillover
The sudden cloud over golf is reportedly seen as a ripple effect of the deteriorating relations between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Yesterday (4 January), the BCB took a definitive stance, deciding against sending the national team to India for next month's T20 World Cup. Citing "security concerns" and direct advice from the interim government, the BCB has formally requested the ICC to relocate its matches to Sri Lanka.
The friction reached a boiling point after the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman on the BCCI's instruction. Following that, the government today suspended the broadcast of the IPL 2026 season across the country.
