Srinagar, May 10 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said Kashmir shares a long and historic relationship with golf and asserted that the Valley’s golf courses are among the finest in the country.
Speaking to media persons during the inauguration of a golf tournament at Royal Springs Golf Course, Omar Abdullah, as per news agency JKNS, said Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam possess some of the most beautiful golf courses in India.
“Kashmir has a very old relationship with golf. If you look at the most beautiful golf courses in the country, Kashmir’s courses in Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam can easily be counted among them,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the government’s focus is to encourage local golfers while simultaneously using the sport as a medium to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
“This tournament is another step towards promoting golf in Kashmir. We want to encourage our local golfers and also inspire a new generation of young players to take up the sport,” he added.
Omar Abdullah said more than 100 golfers participated in the tournament, including several players from different parts of the country, reflecting the growing attraction of Kashmir as a golfing destination.
He said many golfers from outside Jammu and Kashmir have started visiting Srinagar during long weekends specifically to play golf, expressing hope that such sporting events would significantly boost tourism.
“In North India, whenever there is a long weekend, many golfers are now coming to Srinagar just to play golf. We hope tourism will definitely benefit from this trend,” he said.
The Chief Minister further said the government, in coordination with tourism authorities and event organisers, is planning more such events in future to place Kashmir prominently on the global golfing map.
“Our aim is to organise as many events as possible so that both local golfers and golfers from outside Kashmir can come together and play here. We want to keep our golf courses at par with the best in the country,” he added. (JKNS)
