The tragic shooting incident on April 22, where 26 tourists died in Kashmir, has not only devastated families but also escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. The region's football club, Real Kashmir FC (RKFC), aims to present a positive image of Kashmir but now faces challenges as public and private sector interest may wane. Club owner Arshad Shawl emphasized that tourism's decline could reverse economic gains. The area has been historically volatile, and the shooting exacerbates long-standing security issues that have deterred investments and youth engagement.
"April 22 is the most unfortunate and tragic incident that could have happened. It sets us back because when you have millions of tourists coming in, it becomes a bigger and better market for brands, products and services. When there is escalation between the two countries, it becomes an unattractive place for all."
"We were literally cut off from the whole world in many forms. The youth were disillusioned as there were no investments into the region."
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