On Sunday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reinforced that peace is vital for the development of tourism and sports in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to reporters, he stated, “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 made these remarks during the launch of the special edition jersey for the Real Kashmir Football Club, designed to promote peace. He emphasized, “Peace is the foundation for everything. The message of today’s programme, the jersey, is also peace.”
Earlier, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha underscored the necessity of peace for development, remarking that some remnants of terrorism persist in the Union Territory. Abdullah, however, opined that the responsibility for establishing peace lies beyond his government’s jurisdiction. He criticized the tendency to attribute all issues in Jammu and Kashmir to his administration, stating, “Our government is targeted for everything, even as law and order is not in our domain.”
Abdullah highlighted his government’s commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir. “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 explained.
The chief minister aims to develop sports facilities and entrust them to the youth for their utilization. He noted, “Tournaments, races, 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.”
Regarding the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which faced disruptions due to landslides, Abdullah commented, “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.”
At the unveiling of the “Peace Jersey” of Real Kashmir FC in collaboration with the renowned Danish sportswear brand Hummel, Abdullah mentioned the importance of sports in bridging communities and fostering peace. He commented, “Real Kashmir FC exemplifies how football can inspire and unite communities. Sports are a vital bridge for peace.”
The design of the jersey draws inspiration from Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage, with elements reflecting the historic Hari Parbat Fort—a symbol of communal harmony that houses a shrine, a temple, and a gurdwara. The kit features a sky-blue base to signify peace, embodying aspirations for a harmonious society.
