Indian golfers confident of winning gold at Doha

Chandigarh, Nov 20 (UNI) Members of the Indian golf team-- Gaganjeet Bhullar, Anibarn Lahri and Joseph Chakola--are confident of winning gold medal in the Doha Asian Games which begin on December 1.

The golf competitions in Doha are scheduled from December 8.

The Indian players think that golfers from Korea, Thailand and Chinese Taipei would be their main rivals in Doha.

Talking to mediapersons at the Chandigarh Golf Club here today, they said ''we have been playing together for a long time.

We know each other's game. We have been travelling and playing together in India and aborad. We make a well-knit team to stake our strong claim for the first position.'' Eighteen-year-old golfer from Rail Coach Factor, Kapurthala, Gaganjeet said ''We form a strong line-up for Doha Asian Games. I do not think it would be a tough task to win laurels to the country by winning gold medal in Doha.'' ''The Royal Challenge Samarvir Sahi Amateur Golf which begins tomorrow will provide another chance to us to warm up before the Asian Games. From Chandigarh we will got to China to participate in the Asia Pacific Open from November 28 to December 1. There would be a good field in China before the Doha Asian Games,'' said Bhullar, who is considered as one of the most aggressive golfers.

Gaganjeet was also a member of the Indian team which won the Ravi Kirloskar Trophy in Bangalore last year. The Punjab golfer also claimed the World Junior Master in Thailand last year.

Ninteen-year-old Anirban Lahiri of Bolarus Golf Club, Secunderabad was also oozing with confidence.

The Samarvir Sahi Amateur champion Lahiri said ''we are playing together for quite some time. We play different game. The present strong line-up raises our hopes to win gold in Doha.'' Twenty-two-year-old Joseph Chakola of Coimbatore Golf Club is Jaypee Open Amateur champion this year. Asked about his strong point, Joseph, who was member of the Indian team along with Gaganjeet Bhullar, Anibarn Lahiri and non-playing captain Ajitesh Sandhu, said ''I am confident that my putting will click in Doha. Before that I will be competing in the Asia Pacific Open in China.'' The fourth member of the Indian golf team Chirag Kumar is not taking part in the Samarvir Sahi Amateur Golf here. However, Chirag has scriped a memorable win in the amateur category of the 2006 Indian Open. Chirag has been in splendid form this season and has won the Singapore Amateur and Pakistan Open on his way to earning a berth in the Indian team for Asiad.

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