Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the government wants to restore Kashmir's position as one of India's premier golf destinations, announcing plans to make the DP World PGTI tournament an annual fixture while also promoting local golfing talent through a dedicated academy.Calling golf tourism an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir's tourism strategy, Abdullah said the Valley was already witnessing a new trend of visitors flying in for long golf weekends.
"This year, even without active promotion of golf tourism, we've seen the beginnings of what we actually want—people flying into Srinagar for a long weekend of golf, arriving on Friday, playing through the weekend and returning on Sunday evening or Monday morning," he said, while speaking to reporters after inaugurating the J&K Open 2026 in Srinagar.
The Chief Minister said the ongoing DP World PGTI tournament marks Kashmir's return to India's golf calendar.
"This tournament is an important milestone in putting Kashmir, particularly RSGC, back on India's golf map. We have more than 100 professional golfers and over 10 overseas entries. Our endeavour is that this becomes an annual tournament, not a one-off."
He said the government intends to increase both the prize money and participation over the coming years and ensure the tournament remains on the national calendar for at least the next five years.
Responding to a question on why Kashmir has produced successful cricketers and footballers but few golfers, Abdullah acknowledged that local players need greater opportunities.
"Local golfers should be promoted. Through Pro-Am tournaments, our amateur golfers get to play with professionals from outside. We also organise local tournaments, and now we want to establish a golf academy so children can be introduced to the sport at a young age and groomed to represent the country."
Highlighting recent sporting achievements, he referred to Kashmiri cricketer Aqib Nabi's selection for India's Test squad against Sri Lanka and a recent mixed martial arts victory by another athlete from the Valley.
"Our boys and girls have talent. What they lack is exposure. More tournaments will create that exposure and encourage more youngsters to take up these sports."
Asked whether the abrogation of Article 370 had played a role in reviving golf tourism, Abdullah rejected the suggestion, saying Kashmir hosted major golf tournaments long before 2014 and that, before militancy, the Valley staged some of India's biggest golf events.
He said Kashmir remains uniquely suited for golf during the summer months, when much of the country is too hot for the sport.
On criticism that government golf courses are expensive, loss-making assets, Abdullah argued they should be viewed as tourism infrastructure rather than standalone commercial ventures.
"A golf course may not be a profit centre by itself, but from a tourism promotion perspective it is unmatched. People who come here to play golf don't just play golf. They stay in houseboats, ride shikaras, buy handicrafts and use taxis. Ultimately, it benefits the economy."
Abdullah also said Jammu and Kashmir's cricketing rise—from the Ranji Trophy campaign to IPL auctions and Aqib Nabi's national selection—has generated fresh enthusiasm for the sport. However, he said the region still lacks international-standard cricket infrastructure.
"There is a proposal by the BCCI to build two international-quality stadiums—one in Jammu and one in the Valley. Unfortunately, for various reasons, I haven't been able to take it to its logical conclusion. We want these stadiums so we can host IPL and international matches."
Towards the end of the interaction, Abdullah declined to answer political questions related to Article 370 at a sporting event. However, when asked about the recent killings in south Kashmir, he condemned the violence in unequivocal terms.
"The killings are deeply unfortunate. Innocent people should never be killed. No religion permits such acts. No words are enough to condemn them. Those responsible for maintaining security are expected to ensure that such attacks do not happen."