Martand Singh
On a recent visit to Srinagar, I was struck by the silence of the once bustling streets, shops and shikaras on the Dal Lake. The tragic Pahalgam attack of April 22ndhas dealt a devastating blow to the fragile tourism industry of Jammu &Kashmir. Families whose livelihoods depend on tourism are facing an uncertain future. As the lifeline of the region, tourism has become vulnerable to external factors. We must ask ourselves: how can we create permanent, resilient and sustainable opportunities for the youth of Jammu & Kashmir?
I believe the answer lies in sports.
Sports are passions woven into the fabric of our society that help create opportunities and prove transformative for young people, seeking hope, careers and recognition. Beyond recreation and competition, sports can become a powerful driver of the economy and in this case even tourism. Imagine a Jammu &Kashmir that is known not just for its breathtaking landscapes, mountains and lakes, but also as a sports hub of India.
To achieve this, the first priority must be infrastructure. Our athletes may be blessed with raw talent, but talent alone cannot succeed without proper facilities. We need district level and indoor complexes for young people to train year-round. Gulmarg and Sonamarg, with their natural altitudes and landscapes, are ideal locations to host high-performing training centers that could attract athletes from across the country and the globe. Jammu and Srinagar should upgrade cricket grounds capable of holding domestic and international matches. With no dearth of talent, why our youth be forced to travel to Mumbai or Delhi for training and tournaments while not having the opportunity to participate on their home turf? Building this infrastructure would not only support athletes, but also result in the creation of jobs in many supporting sectors including construction and hospitality, giving a significant boost to the local economy.
Equally important is the establishment of transparent pathways for talent. Too often, young players in Jammu &Kashmir feel disillusioned by the unfair selection systems. If we want to inspire them to believe in their future, we must commit to a culture of fairness and merit. This could be done through a digital registration system that allows players to track their progress, bringing independent scouts to monitor district tournaments and provide scholarships for those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. When young people are confident in the process, that their hard work will be rewarded fairly, they will give their best to the game.
In addition to existing traffic of tourists and yatris on religious visits, this growth of sports has the potential to breathe new life into tourism. Imagine annual cricket tournaments in Jammu and Srinagar, or adventure sports festivals such as skiing, rafting and trekkingin Reasi, Udhampur, Gulmarg and Sonamarg.
Gulmarg could become India’s hub for winter sports attractingnot only domestic crowds, but also international visitors. Such events will fill hotels, restaurants and transport services, creating an economic lifeline that tourism once provided. In fact, the Chief Minister has rightly noted in a recent interview the pressing need for more ski-lifts and better infrastructure in Gulmarg to unlock its full potential and elevate winter sports to global standards. Hosting the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg and the Khelo India Water Sports Festival is a promising beginning, however it should be seen not as the final goal but rather as a spark – one that inspires us to expand the scope of these sports to the grassroots level across Jammu & Kashmir.
For this vision to succeed, the government and private sector must work hand in hand.The government’s role should be that of an enabler – laying down policy frameworks, building core infrastructure, and ensuring transparency in talent development.
The private sector, including corporate houses, IPL franchises, and international brandscan then step in to establish training camps, sponsor tournaments and bring professional expertise to the region. Together, this partnership can create a sustainable and professional ecosystem where sports is not just a pastime, but a viable and serious career path for the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, while simultaneously strengthening tourism as an additional pillar of the economy.
This discipline of sports offers young men and women a chance to channel their energy into purpose, hope and opportunity. If Jammu &Kashmir can establish itself as a center for sports, it will naturally revive tourism as well. Families and fans from across India will travel here not only to admire the natural beauty, but also to attend matches, tournaments and festivals. Athletes will come to train, along with coaches and supporting staff, creating an entirely new service economy. Dharamsala provides a thriving example – once known primarily as a scenic hill station and the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it has now become a prime venue for international cricket and the IPL, with the establishment of a world-class stadium.
Our region deserves to be seen not only through the lens of conflict or tragedy, but as a land of promise, talent and resilience. By developing the sports sector, we can give our youth a stage to shine, our economy a chance to diversify and our tourism industry a much-needed revival.It is time to see sports not just as a game, but as policy that can birth champions and redefine the future of Jammu & Kashmir.
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