Every cricketer should try golf from early age: Yuvraj

New Delhi, Apr 2: World Cup-winning former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh on Thursday said cricketers must take up golf from an early age to deal with the stress of their primary vocation.

Yuvraj, who has turned into an avid golfer after retirement, has been named as the brand ambassador of the second Indian Golf Premier League.

“They (cricketers) should play golf along with cricket. I should have played golf earlier which would have helped me in cricket. Golf actually helps you unwind, take stress out of you,” Yuvraj said on the sidelines of the unveiling of 10 franchises of the IGPL, the schedule of which is yet to be worked out.

“For example all foreign cricketers, Australians, Kiwis, English, South Africans, all have been playing golf since when they were young kids.”

Yuvraj said golf is considered an elite sport but it’s a game that is accessible to all through public courses.

“We see golf as an elite sport but we want every kid of India to try golf. We are trying to take golf to schools, what I feel is that every child should try every sport.

“I know cricket is our biggest game but golf is also an exciting game, which everyone should try. As someone who has represented India, I want to help in other sports as well,” he said.

“The league (IGPL) will make this game exciting, make noise about the sport. More kids will pick up the sport, watch it on TV and will get encouraged to play. It will create money in the sport, and help in securing the future of kids and it is our responsibility.”

This year’s IGPL will have 10 franchises and 15 events across the year, including five overseas tournaments — Mauritus, Congo, South Africa and two in Morocco.