Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | March 09, 2025

Born on June 19, 2010, Ishant Sanjay Shikare entered the world with a silent challenge that went unnoticed for the first five years of his life. His hearing impairment, undiagnosed until then, led many to believe that he was an underdeveloped child. But a watchful kindergarten teacher noticed something extraordinary—he responded appropriately to commands in class, hinting that there was more to his story than met the eye.

A formal diagnosis confirmed Ishant’s hearing impairment and speech difficulties, and with that, his journey toward a world of sound began. Equipped with hearing aids, he stepped into a mainstream school, where he faced academic struggles but never lacked determination. His parents, understanding his unique challenges, made a conscious decision—they would not burden him with academic pressures but would instead find a path where he could truly shine.

Searching for the Right Sport: Ishant Shikare’s Golf Journey

Sports seemed like the perfect avenue, but which one? The search was far from easy. Ishant tried cricket, swimming, and tennis, but his speech difficulties made it hard for him to connect with other children. He often felt like an outsider, unable to integrate fully into the groups. His parents, however, refused to give up. They turned to the internet, searching for a place where Ishant’s challenges could be turned into strengths. That’s when they stumbled upon the Deaflympics—a global sporting event for the hearing impaired. Among the many sports listed, one caught their attention: GOLF!

Discovering Golf and 9 Aces Golf Academy

Golf was uncharted territory for the Shikare family. As a middle-class family with no prior knowledge of the sport, they weren’t sure where to begin. But determination led them to the 9 Aces Golf Academy in Karjat, where they met a guiding light—Shabana Madam. Instead of pushing them into an expensive commitment, she suggested Ishant try introductory golf lessons to see if he truly enjoyed the game.

From the moment Ishant stepped onto the golf course, something clicked. The sprawling greens, the precision, the quiet concentration—golf suited him as no other sport had. With support from the Academy’s mentors—Kunal Bhasin Sir, Ramesh Chatri, Rahul Naidu, Deepak Patole Sir, and Manager Swami—he found a place where he belonged. They nurtured his potential, encouraged his passion, and helped him through the intricacies of the sport.

A Journey of Hard Work and Support

His parents, overwhelmed with gratitude, know this journey would not have been possible without the generosity and vision of 9 Aces Golf Academy. Their kindness and belief in Ishant transformed his life, giving him a platform to dream big.

Opening Doorz noticed the genius of this affable lad at the recently concluded 9 Aces Invitational Golf Tournament where he bagged the winner’s trophy beating a field of 32 competitors. Intrigued with his handicap and ability to focus despite his hearing impediment, we caught up with Ishant and his parents to understand his golf journey and the way forward.

Ishant understands. Ishant speaks haltingly. However, he is clear in his responses, with a little support from his parents. But on the golf course, he is a Tiger in the woods!

Excerpts:

Ishant, can you describe the first time you realised you could communicate effectively on the golf course, even with your hearing impairment? What was that experience like?”

Ishant: Sir, when I first visited a golf course, the quietness gave me confidence. I could hear my coach’s instructions clearly for the first time; it felt wonderful and encouraging.

When you first learned about the Deaflympics and the possibility of golf, what was your biggest hope for Ishant?

Ishant’s Parents: As parents of a child with a hearing impairment, we were always searching for a sport that would suit him. When we discovered the Deaflympics and learned that golf was included, we were thrilled. Reading about Miss Diksha Dagar, an Indian golfer who won a silver medal, inspired us. We chose golf because it required less verbal communication compared to other sports. Our biggest hope is for Ishant to represent India in the Deaflympics, win a medal, and build a successful career in professional golf, both in India and abroad.

Ishant, what has been the most challenging moment in your golf journey?

Ishant: The biggest challenge was playing alone initially, because of my high handicap. It felt lonely. As my game improved, other players started joining me, which boosted my confidence. I also learned my strengths and weaknesses, which helped me a lot.

Can you describe the moment you saw Ishant truly connect with the coaches at 9 Aces Golf Academy? What made that connection special?

Ishant’s Parents: Ishant’s hearing and speech difficulties made communication challenging, especially in English. But at 9 Aces, all the coaches spoke to him in Hindi and Marathi, which made things much easier. Even Director Kunal Bhasin Sir, who primarily speaks English, communicated with Ishant in Hindi. This gesture meant a lot to us. The entire Academy is supportive and encouraging. Now, Ishant spends eight hours a day training there, guided by the coaches who have helped him grow both as a golfer and a person.

Ishant, what’s the one thing you wish other children understood about having a hearing impairment?

Ishant: Don’t lose hope. Our challenges can become our strengths. With hard work and determination, we can achieve our goals in any field.

How did it feel to navigate the initial challenges of finding the right sport for Ishant, especially with the financial constraints?

Ishant’s Parents: We chose golf because it required minimal verbal communication. At first, we knew nothing about the sport except that 9 Aces Golf Academy was in Karjat. When we met Shabana Madam, she was honest with us—she told us golf is expensive and advised us to proceed only if we could manage it. As middle-class parents, we wanted to give Ishant a fair chance. We decided to let him try, and if he showed interest, we would find a way to continue. We traveled 150 km daily for his lessons. The Academy, including Singh Sir, Kunal Sir, and Shabana Madam, supported Ishant, making his journey possible.

Ishant, what does it mean to you to represent your community and potentially your country in the Deaflympics?

Ishant: Sir, I have been selected for the selection trials for the Indian Deaflympic Golf Team. Representing my country would be the highest honour, and I will do my best to achieve it. I am hoping to be a part of the Indian Contingent to Tokyo in November this year. I will do my best at the trials.

If you could give one piece of advice to other parents of children with disabilities, what would it be?

Ishant’s Parents: Support your children in every possible way. Give them a chance to follow their passion, and they will find a way to succeed.

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