Anirban Lahiri: A Hero at The Masters

Anand Datla

April 05, 2016: I was watching Anirban Lahiri practising his putts at The Masters yesterday. He was dressed in an elegant ensemble working up a sweat under the warm sunshine at the Augusta National Golf Club. As I saw him work the putter, it was difficult not to notice the prominent display of Hero on his chest and the cap. Thousands of miles away from home, it was hard not to feel an overwhelming sense of respect for the results of Hero Motor’s investment in sport.

As Indian athletes pursue their dreams on the international stage, it is easy to appreciate the resources needed to compete with the best. Naturally, with all the focus on cricket, it has been difficult for athletes from other sports to invite attention and resources to the pursuit of their endeavours.

But the recent successes of stars like Lahiri, some of our Badminton players, the recent growth of Kabaddi are a sign of changing times. But corporate involvement has been sketchy at best and very selective so far in Indian sport. On this count, Hero’s engagement with sport under the vision of Pawan Munjal and the guidance of Jai Narayan promises to bring forth lasting change.

Speaking at the recently held India Golf Awards in Delhi, during the Hero Indian Open, Mr. Munjal spoke about the need for corporates to take a larger role in the development of sport in India. For their part, Hero Motors has been investing large sums of money into golf, hockey, football and athletics at the grass roots facilitating long term development.

Just as an example, women’s golf would not really exist as a professional tour, but for Hero’s generous contribution to the WGAI’s professional tour which has as many as 18 events across the country every season.

On that count, large and medium corporates can take a leaf out of the Hero book and engage with sport at a deeper level, extending resources to develop sport through active engagement with athletes. It is important to associate with events too, but then long term returns come from development of sport and building a large pool of athletes.

That is only possible through constructive engagement with sport. And Lahiri’s global success is just one example of the benefits of engaging with sport.