Srinagar, Aug 19, 2025 : Jammu and Kashmir’s sporting ambitions are set to get a major boost as Srinagar’s Dal Lake prepares to host the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) from August 21–23.
More than 400 athletes from 36 states and Union Territories will compete in three medal events — rowing, kayaking, and canoeing. Alongside, the festival will feature demonstration events such as water skiing, dragon boat racing, and the much-anticipated shikara sprint, blending Kashmir’s cultural identity with competitive sports.
Dal Lake, long celebrated as a symbol of Kashmir’s tourism and culture, will now add national-level sports hub to its legacy. The event is being jointly organized by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the J&K Sports Council under the Union Sports Ministry’s Khelo Bharat Niti, which has already helped establish Gulmarg as a premier winter sports destination.
Bilquis Mir, an Olympian and international canoeing judge, called the festival “the beginning of a new era for water sports in the country.” She added, “This event will inspire young athletes and give water sports the recognition it deserves.”
Young Kashmiri athletes, like Mohsin Ali, a state champion with 15 national medals, are also eyeing glory. “I hope to win gold here at home,” he said.
Coaches and officials see the event as a game-changer, comparable to how the Khelo India Winter Games transformed Gulmarg. Muhammad Imtiyaz, a water sports coach, said, “This festival will put J&K on the water sports map of India.”
The festival’s design reflects Dal’s cultural essence — with a mascot inspired by the Himalayan Kingfisher and a logo featuring the iconic Shikara.
With competition, culture, and community spirit all converging, the KIWSF 2025 is set to showcase Dal Lake in a whole new avatar.
