Food giant and industrial conglomerate join forces for team ownership in PGTI's franchise competition launching next month
Haldiram Snacks Food Pvt. Ltd. and KLJ Group of Companies announced Tuesday they will jointly own a Rajasthan-based franchise in '72 The League,' the Professional Golf Tour of India's new city-based competition launching next month.
The partnership brings together one of India's most recognizable food brands with an industrial conglomerate, marking a notable entry of mainstream corporate sponsors into professional golf ownership.
The ownership announcement
Manohar Lal Agarwal, chairman and managing director of Haldiram, and Hemant Jain, group managing director of KLJ Group, formalized the agreement with Kapil Dev, PGTI president, signaling their entry into the league that begins February 21, 2026.
"It is wonderful to have Haldiram & KLJ join PGTI's '72 The League', adding a new dimension to the competition," Dev said. "This team is sure to spark excitement and pride among golf enthusiasts across the state of Rajasthan."
Corporate motivations
For Agarwal, the investment represents more than brand visibility. "We are excited to be a part of '72 The League', which promises to usher in a golfing revolution in India," he said. "It represents a unique platform to nurture talent while elevating the sport's professional ecosystem."
Jain framed the acquisition as an opportunity to influence the sport's development trajectory. "Entering into '72 The League' allows us to contribute to the growth of professional golf in India while providing a platform for emerging talent to compete and excel at the highest level," he said, adding that the franchise aims "to inspire the next generation of golfers."
The competitive structure
Launched jointly by PGTI and Game of Life Sports, the league will feature city-based franchises fielding 10 professional players each, selected through a transparent auction. Leading golfers from the PGTI circuit are expected to participate.
The inaugural season will run across three Delhi-NCR venues: Classic Golf & Country Club, Jaypee Greens and Qutab Golf Course. The competition will employ a fast-paced match-play format designed specifically for television and digital platforms—a departure from traditional stroke-play tournaments.
Beyond the fairways
Organizers are positioning the league as more than athletic competition. Plans include Pro-Am events pairing professionals with amateurs, immersive fan zones, live entertainment, behind-the-scenes digital content and premium broadcast production—all aimed at audiences beyond traditional golf enthusiasts.
Whether corporate ownership can help build regional fan bases and elevate Indian professional golf remains to be tested. But with Haldiram's consumer reach and KLJ's industrial footprint, the Rajasthan franchise enters the competition with considerable resources and brand recognition.
The player auction will determine which golfers represent these corporate-backed teams when competition begins in less than six weeks.