Srinagar, June 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday evening reiterated his government’s commitment to make Jammu and Kashmir one of the major golf sites in the country.
The Chief Minister made this comment during an award distribution ceremony held here in Srinagar, where the winners and runners -ups of the day’s golf tournament were reshuffled. Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister joined the golfers to go out of the tournament at the Royal Springs Golf Course, in which the participation of eminent golfers across the country was seen, in which former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah was also included
Welcoming Golfars Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that his presence was highly encouraging. He also thanked the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for organizing a golf tournament and tourism stakeholders talks in Kashmir.
He said, “It is very confident to see all of us here. There is no doubt that your presence leads a long way to strengthen what we are trying to do – which is essentially to bring back the tourism after derailment,” he said.
Considering the recent challenges, the Chief Minister admitted that tourists may have felt after the Besaran tragedy.
He said, “I think why people are afraid of going. I understand the effect of the scene from Pahalgam on the psyche of those who will not think about coming here twice,” he said. “This is why your presence here holds great importance – the message you take back with you is that what we are trying to achieve is in the ways that we may not do.”
The Chief Minister said that the power of word-mouth communication was highlighted, the Chief Minister said that the impressions shared by visitors have more weight than the official statements.
“If I speak about Jammu and Kashmir as a tourist destination, my words will naturally be seen through a local lens. But when you return home and share your experiences here, the effect is more,” he said.
“I am not trivial when I say this – we really hopes that each of you go back as the ambassadors of Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the region has barely encountered in a few months, light at the end of the tunnel, and better days lie ahead.”
On the development of Golf Infrastructure, the Chief Minister assured the gathering that all necessary efforts would be made to provide world -class golfing facilities in both Jammu and Kashmir Valley.
Referring to the recent tournament held in Gulmarg, he shared:
“For the first time in more than a decade, we were able to organize a small, locally participation golf tournament using nine holes. By August or September, we hope all 18 holes will be operational. Work is going on at Greece.”
He added, “Similarly, we will continue to increase the quality of golf courses in Srinagar and Jammu. The rest assured, we are committed to ensure that every time you return, you experience a better game and setting.”
Former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, participated with Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Dhirj Gupta, FICCI delegation, prominent hotel businessmen, prestigious golfers and other stakeholders in tourism and hospitality.