Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized the necessity of peace as a foundation for growth in tourism and sports in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) during a press conference on Sunday in Srinagar. He stated that a stable environment is vital for development in these sectors.
“For development, tourism, or sports… we need peace for everything. If we talk about having day and night matches, and if the situation is not good, then who will come to play in the evening?” Abdullah remarked. He made these comments while launching the jersey of Real Kashmir Football Club.
The symbolism behind the jersey is significant. “Peace is the foundation for everything. The message of today’s programme, the jersey, is also peace,” he added, reinforcing the critical message during the event.
Abdullah’s emphasis on peace aligns with recent statements from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who highlighted that peace is essential for development in J&K. Sinha also noted the lingering effects of terrorism in the Union Territory.
Addressing the misconception about the government’s accountability in maintaining peace, Abdullah clarified, “The responsibility of establishing peace does not fall with me. Those who are responsible should fulfil their duty.” He asserted that his government often faces undue blame for law and order issues, despite these being beyond its purview.
The chief minister voiced concerns about the perception of his administration, stating, “At least there are issues for which we cannot be held responsible because establishing peace is not the responsibility of my government. Yet, we are targeted for all that happens here.”
On the enhancement of sports infrastructure, Abdullah noted that the government prioritizes sports activities across various assembly segments. “There is hardly any assembly segment where some sports infrastructure is not being built by our government. We are investing in facilities after assessing youth interests in each area,” he informed the gathering.
He characterized his goal as creating robust sports infrastructure that the youth can utilize effectively. “Tournaments and races are being organized at district and sub-district levels. The second edition of the Kashmir marathon is scheduled for November 2. I want to invite athletes from across the country, particularly those interested in half-marathons, to join us in Srinagar,” he added.
Commenting on the current state of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which has faced disruptions due to landslides, Abdullah mentioned, “We haven’t been able to do black-topping on the 300-meter stretch that was washed away. We will address that soon, and then vehicles can move freely. Currently, no vehicles are stranded.”
During the unveiling of the special edition “Peace Jersey” of Real Kashmir FC, designed with renowned Danish sportswear brand Hummel, Abdullah articulated the broader role of sports in cultivating peace. “This initiative illustrates the power of sports to foster peace, unity, and a sense of community in J&K,” he said.
The jersey designed honors Kashmir’s cultural heritage and aspirations. It features a sky-blue base signifying peace, with inspiration from the historic Hari Parbat Fort — a symbol of communal harmony that includes a shrine, a temple, and a gurdwara.
Omar Abdullah concluded by affirming that Real Kashmir FC demonstrates how football can be a catalyst for community inspiration and unity. “Sports are a vital bridge for peace,” he proclaimed, stressing their importance in societal development.
