Initiative aims to promote youth employment, recognise caddies and boost golf tourism in Kashmir
Srinagar, October 13: Prominent hotelier and entrepreneur Akib Chaya, under the banner of Hilltop Hotels, organised the ‘Swing in Autumn’ Caddy Golf Tournament at the Kashmir Golf Course (KGC), Srinagar, to recognise the contribution of caddies, encourage youth participation in sports and promote golf tourism in Kashmir.
The tournament brought together caddies, senior golfers, representatives of the hospitality and tourism sectors, and other distinguished guests, highlighting the role of golf in creating livelihood opportunities and fostering community participation.
Salman Sagar and Ehsan Pardesi attended the event as Guests of Honour, encouraging the participating caddies and appreciating the initiative.
Several senior golfers, including Ashraf Bakshi, Javed Bakshi, Sohail Kirmani, Ghulam Rasool Guroo, Usman Fazil, Manzoor Abbas and Sameer Bhat, were also present.
Representatives of various organisations who attended the event included Mushtaq Chaya, President, Hoteliers Club; Tariq Ghani, President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Sheikh Feroz, President, J&K Hajj and Umrah Services; Sameer Baktoo, President, Eco Tourism; Nasir Hamid Khan, Honorary Secretary, Amar Singh Club; and Murad Kapra, Joint Secretary, Hoteliers Club.
Speaking on the occasion, Akib Chaya said the tournament was not merely a sporting competition but an effort to recognise the contribution of caddies, who play an integral role in the golfing community.
“Golf has given me tremendous joy, and having learnt the game at Kashmir Golf Course myself, I feel a personal connection with this place and the people associated with it. Our caddies are an integral part of the golfing community, and they deserve recognition, encouragement and opportunities to grow,” he said.
Chaya said golf could offer young people opportunities to acquire skills, earn a livelihood and build careers in the sporting and hospitality sectors.
“At a time when we must work collectively to steer our younger generation away from the menace of drug abuse and unemployment, golf offers an opportunity to learn a skill, earn an honest and dignified livelihood and build a long-term career. A young person starting out as a caddy today can aspire to become a professional golfer, a certified instructor, a course professional or even pursue opportunities in the international golfing industry,” he said.
Highlighting Kashmir’s potential for golf tourism, Chaya said the region’s golf courses, natural beauty and hospitality infrastructure could help establish it as a leading golfing destination.
He said golf was a sport that connected people across generations, offering opportunities for participation, mentorship and healthy living. With people ranging from children to senior citizens able to take up the sport, he said, golf could also serve as a platform for greater community engagement.
The guests and senior golfers appreciated Chaya’s efforts to organise the tournament and support the caddy community. They said initiatives of this nature could help create opportunities for young people, recognise the contribution of those working behind the scenes and strengthen Kashmir’s sporting culture.
The event concluded with a call for collective efforts to empower local youth, support caddies and promote Kashmir as a destination for golf and sports tourism.
The initiative underscored the potential of sports-led employment and tourism promotion in Jammu and Kashmir, while highlighting the need to create more opportunities for young people in the golfing sector.
