Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival at Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake on August 21, 2025, with a vision to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse. In a video message, Mandaviya declared the three-day event, running through August 23, open, emphasizing the government’s commitment to fostering a vibrant sports culture under the Khelo India initiative.
The festival brings together over 500 athletes from 28 states and Union Territories, competing in five water sports. Rowing, canoeing, and kayaking offer 24 medals, while shikara sprints, dragon boat racing, and water skiing are showcased as demonstration events. “This event at Dal Lake will thrill sports lovers and project the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” Mandaviya said, highlighting the unity and strength of India’s diverse regions.
Since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has prioritized sports development. “Our vision is to make India a global sporting powerhouse,” Mandaviya stated, pointing to the Khelo India Games as a cornerstone of this mission. The recently passed National Sports Governance Bill, approved by Parliament last week, introduces sweeping reforms to enhance transparency and efficiency in sports administration, he added.
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Union Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, present at the event, echoed Modi’s dream of embedding sports in every Indian household through the “Har Ghar Khel, Ghar Ghar Khel” initiative. “These games, alongside the Khelo India Winter Games, are incredible opportunities to nurture talent,” Khadse said. The festival has drawn praise on social media platforms like X, with users celebrating the vibrant display of athleticism in the scenic backdrop of Kashmir.
The event not only showcases India’s growing sports infrastructure but also highlights Jammu and Kashmir as a hub for unique sporting events. As athletes paddle through Dal Lake, the festival marks a bold step toward realizing India’s ambition to dominate the global sports stage.
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