SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today stressed on giving a boost to winter sports in Gulmarg and other places to nurture the talent of state’s youth and develop them as world class players.
Inaugurating the National Ski and Snowboarding Championship at Gulmarg, the Chief Minister said organising sports events, particularly winter games, will give a considerable fillip to showcase the State as the ideal destination for different sports.
Highlighting the vast potential of State for sports, adventure and pilgrim tourism, Mr Abdullah said this speciality is yet another sphere of attraction for tourists besides mesmerising, enchanting and amazing natural resorts and wide-ranging fauna, flora and bio-diversity, the State is blessed with. Normally, youth studying in different educational institutions find occasions and platforms to participate and show their sports talent in different games.
However, he said, the youth not obtaining education are mostly deprived of such occasions.
“We should also enhance opportunities and avenues for them,” he said and added that Gulmarg Winter Games will be an effective step in this direction.
The Chief Minister said there is need to promote winter sports, particularly skiing in Gulmarg by upgrading ski slopes at Kongdoori and Mary Shoulder.
“This would help in holding the National and International Ski events at Gulmarg,” he said and spelt out the possibilities of making Gulmarg an International winter sports resort. Mr Abdullah said tourism has an important role in the State’s economy and generation of wide-ranging economic activities for the people.
“Our efforts should be to develop and showcase the State for round the year destination for the tourists from all across the world,” he said and added that the Tourism Department and all other stakeholders in this industry need to work jointly to rope in high-end tourists, along with others in great numbers.
Minister for Tourism Ghulam Ahmad Mir was also present on the occasion.
The event has been organised by the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir. The event is aimed at promoting winter-sports and tourism in the State. (AGENCIES)
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