Peace prerequisite for tourism, sports sectors to flourish in J-K: CM Abdullah

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday said peace is a basic prerequisite for development, and the tourism and sports sectors to flourish in Jammu and Kashmir.

“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 told reporters here.

He launched the jersey of the Real Kashmir Football Club here.

“Peace is the foundation for everything. The message of today’s programme, the jersey, is also peace,” he added.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had on Saturday said peace was the prerequisite for development in Jammu and Kashmir. Sinha also asserted that some remnants of terrorism remain in the Union Territory.

Abdullah said the responsibility of establishing peace does not fall with him, and asserted that “those who are responsible should fulfil their responsibility”.

The chief minister said his government is targeted for everything that happens in Jammu and Kashmir, even as law and order is not its domain.

“At least, there is something for which we cannot be held responsible because establishing peace is not the responsibility of my government yet. But our government is targeted for everything,” he said.

On the upgradation of the sports infrastructure, Abdullah said his government has a special focus on sports activities and sports infrastructure.

“There is hardly any assembly segment where some sports infrastructure is not being built by our government. Infrastructure is being built after assessing the interest of the youth in each assembly segment,” he said.

The chief minister said his endeavour is to create sports infrastructure and then hand it over to the youth to utilise it.

“Tournaments, race, etc, are being held at the district and sub-district level. The second edition of the Kashmir marathon is being held on November 2. I want to extend an invitation to the athletes from across the country, especially those who are interested in a half-marathon, to come to Srinagar and hope they will run with us on November 2,” he said.

Asked about the status of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which was affected by landslides triggered by heavy rain, Abdullah said, “We haven’t been able to do black-topping on the 300 metre stretch that was washed away.

“We will do that after some time, and then vehicles can move freely. But, as of now, no vehicles are stranded,” he said.

Earlier, while unveiling the special edition “Peace Jersey” of Real Kashmir FC, designed in collaboration with iconic Danish sportswear brand Hummel, at a ceremony held at TRC Ground here, the chief minister said the initiative symbolises the power of sports in fostering peace, unity and community spirit across Jammu and Kashmir.

The jersey design is a tribute to Kashmir’s cultural heritage and aspirations. Drawing inspiration from the historic Hari Parbat Fort—a symbol of communal harmony housing a shrine, a temple, and a gurdwara—the kit features a sky-blue base signifying peace, officials said.

Abdullah said Real Kashmir FC exemplifies how football can inspire and unite communities. “Sports are a vital bridge for peace,” he said.