The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) launched with grandeur at Srinagar’s picturesque Dal Lake, drawing over 400 athletes from 36 states and union territories to compete in a three-day aquatic spectacle. The festival, a vibrant addition to the Khelo India calendar, features intense competitions in rowing, canoeing, and kayaking, with 24 gold medals up for grabs.
Adding flair to the event, demonstration sports such as water skiing, shikhara boat sprint, and dragon boat racing are set to captivate spectators, blending athletic prowess with the scenic allure of the lake. The event, designed under the Khelo Bharat Niti to promote sports and boost tourism, marks the second Khelo India event in Jammu and Kashmir, following the Winter Games in Gulmarg.
The competition, overseen by former World Cup canoeist and Olympic judge Bilquis Mir, promises high standards, with the course adhering to international specifications. Athletes qualified through prior national events, with the top 15 in singles and doubles and the top eight in fours from the November nationals in Tehri (Uttarakhand) competing in kayaking and canoeing, while the top eight from the March nationals in Bhopal participate in rowing.
A highlight is Olympian Arjun Lal Jat, a 28-year-old Army rower from Delhi, who brings international prestige with his silver medal from the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. The festival showcases near gender parity, with 202 of the 409 athletes being women, reflecting the inclusive spirit of the games.
The KIWSF has drawn strong contingents, with Madhya Pradesh leading at 44 athletes, followed by Haryana (37), Odisha (34), and Kerala (33), while Gujarat, Puducherry, and West Bengal field smaller teams. The absence of a Services team shifts the spotlight to state performances, with Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala expected to dominate.
Beyond competition, the festival aims to elevate water sports in India and highlight Dal Lake as a premier sporting destination. As athletes vie for glory, the event underscores the growing prominence of the Khelo India initiative in fostering talent and celebrating India’s diverse sporting culture.
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