Omar highlights significance of sports tourism

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
DRASS, June 9: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Saturday highlighted the importance of sports tourism to generate economic activities and nurture the talent, Jammu and Kashmir possesses, in this field.
Speaking after giving prizes at the finale of Polo Tournament here this morning, the Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has rich history of being State of polo excellence. He said that polo has been popular in the Valley and in Ladakh region for a long time and the interest of people in this game is evident by their large attendance at polo matches.
Omar Abdullah said that Drass, Kargil and Leh in recent years are becoming attraction for National Polo players and holding of polo events by Lalit Hospitality Group in this region has given considerable fillip to this activity. He said that Government is providing required attention to the development of sports and the youth associated with these. He said while games nurture the talent and provide youth healthy extra-curricular activities, the holding of National and State level events generate substantial economic activities for the people. The Manipur Polo team won the final of the tournament beating Drass and Leh teams. The Chief Minister gave away the prizes and trophies to the winners and runners-up teams and individual players.
Minister for CAPD, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Parliament Member, Ghulam Hassan Khan and Chief Executive Councilor, LHADC Kargil, Kachu Ahmad Ali Khan were present on the occasion.