Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently underscored a fundamental truth: peace is the bedrock upon which development, tourism, and sports can truly flourish in the region. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar on Sunday, September 21, 2025, Mr. Abdullah emphasized, “For any progress, be it in tourism or sports, peace is absolutely essential. Imagine trying to host exciting day and night matches—who would come to play in the evening if the situation isn’t stable?”
His statement was made during the launch of the Real Kashmir Football Club’s new jersey, an event that itself carried a powerful message of peace. “Peace forms the very foundation for everything we aspire to achieve. Even the jersey we launched today symbolizes this crucial message of tranquility,” he added, connecting the aspirations of the sports community with the broader need for stability.
These remarks resonate with sentiments expressed just the day before by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who had also declared peace as an absolute prerequisite for development in Jammu & Kashmir. Sinha had further acknowledged the persistent challenges posed by remaining elements of terrorism within the Union Territory.
Abdullah, however, pointed out that the onus of establishing peace doesn’t solely rest on his government. He asserted that “those truly responsible should step up and fulfill their duty.” He also voiced frustration regarding the blame his administration often receives for regional incidents, despite law and order not being under its direct purview. “At least there’s one area where we cannot be held responsible, as establishing peace is not yet my government’s domain. Yet, somehow, our government ends up being targeted for everything,” he remarked.
Despite these challenges, the Chief Minister confirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to upgrading sports infrastructure and promoting athletic activities. “We are keenly focused on developing sports facilities across the region. You’d be hard-pressed to find any assembly segment where we aren’t actively building some form of sports infrastructure, tailored to the specific interests of the local youth,” he explained, highlighting a strategic approach to youth engagement.
Abdullah’s vision extends to creating top-tier sports facilities and then empowering the youth to make the most of them. He proudly announced, “Tournaments and races are being organized at both district and sub-district levels. We’re particularly excited about the second edition of the Kashmir marathon, scheduled for November 2. I warmly invite athletes from all corners of the country, especially those keen on a half-marathon, to join us in Srinagar for this fantastic event.”
Addressing concerns about the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which had faced disruptions due to heavy rainfall and landslides, Mr. Abdullah provided an update. “We still need to complete the black-topping on a 300-meter stretch that was washed away. This will be done in due course, allowing vehicles to traverse freely once again. Currently, however, no vehicles are stranded,” he assured, indicating ongoing efforts to restore full connectivity and ease travel.