Khelo India Water Sports festival To Make Waves At Srinagar’s Dal Lake!

Jammu, July 3:  The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival is set to take place at the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar from August 21 to 23rd, marking a significant milestone in the country’s growing sports calendar. The announcement was made by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, on Thursday.As per an official statement released Thursday by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the event, a part of the Khelo India series, follows the success of the first-ever Khelo India Beach Games, which took place in Diu this past May. The festival will feature five exhilarating water sports: kayaking and canoeing, rowing, water skiing, the traditional shikara race, and dragon boat racing.In a statement, Dr Mandaviya emphasised that the festival further demonstrates the government’s dedication to expanding sports opportunities and providing a platform for athletes to showcase their talents.”The Khelo India Water Sports Festival is another proof of the government’s commitment to broadening the scope of sports and creating more avenues for athletes to express themselves at the national level. Like the Khelo India Beach Games in Diu, we want the Khelo India initiative to be inclusive and reach every corner of the country,” he said. The open-age competition is expected to attract over 400 athletes from across India, representing all 36 states and union territories. Nominations will be made by the National Sports Federation through their national championships or other events, with athletes being selected on merit by the Games Technical Conduct Committee. India’s growing prowess in water sports will be on display at the Dal Lake festival, with Dr. Mandaviya highlighting the country’s strong standing in Asia.“India has a decent standing in water sports in Asia. The Khelo India Water Sports Festival in Dal Lake will help expose emerging talent and prepare them for international events. Our water sports facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and excellent coaches. We are eager for new athletes to step forward and strive for excellence in water games,” he added.The Khelo India Water Sports Festival will be the fifth Khelo India event of 2025. It follows the successful Khelo India Winter Games in Ladakh and J&K, the Para Games in Delhi, the Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar and Delhi, and the Khelo India Beach Games in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.The upcoming festival promises to be a landmark occasion, not only for athletes but also for the promotion of water sports across the nation.