SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the JK Open golf tournament will be made an annual event as part of efforts to revive golf tourism in the Union Territory, while announcing plans for a golf academy to develop young players. Abdullah said golf tourism was an important component of the government’s wider tourism strategy, noting that visitors were increasingly travelling to Srinagar for short golf-focused trips. He said the government was also planning a Golf Academy to train children and young players from an early age. On cricket, Abdullah said recent performances by Jammu and Kashmir players, particularly the team’s Ranji Trophy success, had changed perceptions about the Union Territory’s sporting potential. The Chief Minister said several JK players had subsequently attracted bids from Indian Premier League franchises, which he described as recognition earned through their performances.