Minister for Education Naeem Akhtar today said that there is need for exploiting and highlighting the rich Golf potential of State to attract the domestic and international golfers in the state.The Minister, who was chief guest, was speaking on the Prize distribution function on the Chief Minister’s Golf Tournament held at Royal Spring Golf Club here today.Minister for Roads & Buildings Syed Altaf Ahmad Bukhari was guest on honor on the occasion.
Mr. Naeem said that the State has various Golf Courses and need of the hour is to market it to become Kashmir as Golf Capital of the Country. He said the State has ample potential in Golf and efforts are afoot to tap it, saying that with the exploitation of existing potential and developing it in good manner, the Golfers would get complete Golf circuit in the State. He said that, making Kashmir a Golf Capital of the Country, would help the State economically also.
The Minister said that Chief Minister, Who is Minister Incharge of Tourism department, is keen to develop more golf courses in the State. He said, with the directions of Chief Minister, efforts are afoot to develop new golf courses and golf spaces including Yousmarg, Bhaderwah and Sonamarg in the state, saying that development of these places would give fillip to golf activities and the state would emerge as one of the best and choicest golf resort for the domestic and outside golfers.Mr. Naeem congratulated the Army Commander’s team for winning the tournament. He also appreciated the participating teams which despite of bad weather took part in the tournament.During the tournament Chief Secretary’s and Army Commander’s teams participated. It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Secretary Mr. B R Sharma tee-off the tournament this morning. GoC 15 Corps Lt. Gen S K Dua said that Kashmir is known for golf in the country and global levels. He said organizing such events cement the liaison between civilian and the army.
Secretary, Tourism Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah the department is making all out efforts to make the State as the best Golf destination, adding that conference tourism would be connected with golf tourism to attract more tourists. He said the department would organize golf tournaments of various levels to showcase the beautiful golf courses available in the State.