Sundeep Verma to Coach Gaganjeet Bhullar at Paris 2024 Olympics

Renowned clubmaker Sundeep Verma will coach Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Bhullar, making his Olympic debut, joins a four-member golf team. Verma, with over 25 years of experience, has previously coached elite golfers and accompanied players to past Olympic Games.

Renowned clubmaker and coach Sundeep Verma is set to make his third Olympic Games appearance, accompanying leading Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Bhullar, an eleven-time Asian Tour champion, will be making his Olympic debut as part of a four-member Indian golf team that includes Shubhankar Sharma, Aditi Ashok, and Diksha Dagar. Indian pro Ashbeer Saini will be caddying for Bhullar.

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has cleared a 257-member contingent for the Paris Games, consisting of 117 athletes and 140 support staff, including coaches. Verma, with over 25 years of experience in the golf industry, is recognized as the country's first Class 'A' certified golf coach-cum-clubmaker. He has previously coached top golfers such as Jeev Milkha Singh, Anirban Lahiri, and SSP Chawrasia. Verma accompanied Chawrasia to the Rio 2016 Olympics and Diksha Dagar to the Tokyo 2020 Games, helping them achieve notable performances. The men's individual competition will be held from August 1 to 4 at Le Golf National, the venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup.

"Choosing Sundeep as my coach was natural. He has guided me since my early professional days, advising me on my golf swing and club customization. His previous experience at the venue and his understanding of handling pressure at significant events will be beneficial. I am confident of performing remarkably with him by my side," Bhullar stated in a SAI Media release. Interestingly, Bhullar's request to have Verma accompany him to Paris had been deferred by the Indian Golf Union (IGU) and the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), which oversees the Target Olympic Podium Scheme athletes' proposals.

Verma, who previously coached the Indian amateur golf team at the 2022 Eisenhower Trophy at Le Golf National and attended the 2018 Open de France with Chawrasia, expressed his delight at joining Bhullar for the Paris Games. "I am thrilled to accompany Bhullar. He is the most accomplished golfer of his generation, with eleven Asian Tour titles and as the first Indian to win a European Challenge Tour event in 2011. We are determined to return with a medal," Verma said.

Bhullar's expenses for airfare, boarding, lodging, and registration fees for the International Series Morocco were covered under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). The scheme also approved his week-long training at Le Golf National. Bhullar and Verma will head to Paris on July 28. (ANI)