Warring golfers seek reconciliation with PGAI

New Delhi, Aug 25 (UNI) The rebellious faction of golfers seemed to be on the reconciliatory mode with Professtional Golfers Association of India (PGAI) as the players today agreed to discuss ''amicably'' the future of the tour with the new board.

Ironically, however, he still maintained that the present board had been formed incorrectly and therefore had no standing.

Claiming the support of nearly 165 players, veteran pro Rohtas Singh said there was hope after the ruling body agreed to hold discussions.

''There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. The board says it will hold talks with the players,'' Rohtas said today.

''Yesterday only Kapil Dev had come up with a proposal of Rs 5.5 crore worth of sponsorship. It could take the total purse to Rs 8.5 crore together with TSM's 3 crore kitty for the season. If money is flowing in, we don't have a problem,'' he said, adding, ''The board has assured us that the tour will begin in time and the money will be delivered to the players.'' The PGAI recently broke an existing contract with Tiger Sports Marketing (TSM) alleging that it had repeatedly fallen short on their prize money commitments each year.

TSM's subsequent move to the court thus put a question mark on the start of the tour in time. Calling for an end to the deadlock, caddie-turned-pro Ashok Kumar said the status quo was harming the players from humble backgrounds as their livelihood was in danger.

''I don't have to do anything with the politics and factionalism.

We are players, professionals here to play for money. If there are no tournaments, it puts a question mark on our livelihood,'' Kumar told UNI and added, ''We want an end to the controversy as soon as possible.'' UNI DH PM PC2030