The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) has set sail at the picturesque Dal Lake, drawing over 400 athletes from 36 states and Union Territories to compete for 24 gold medals in rowing, canoeing, and kayaking.
This three-day extravaganza, starting August 21, marks India’s first consolidated open-age national water sports championship, featuring Olympic-standard events and a vibrant showcase of talent, tourism, and sportsmanship.
The festival, a new addition to the Khelo India calendar, highlights 14 kayaking and canoeing events and 10 rowing events, all adhering to international standards. Adding flair to the competition, three demonstration events—water skiing, shikhara boat sprint, and dragon boat race—promise to captivate spectators. The event, to be inaugurated on August 21 evening with Union Minister of State Srimati Raksha Khadse in attendance, is the second Khelo India event in Jammu & Kashmir, following the Winter Games in Gulmarg.
Leading the charge are athletes from Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala, with Madhya Pradesh fielding the largest contingent of 44 athletes. Haryana (37), Odisha (34), and Kerala (33) follow closely, while Gujarat, Puducherry, and West Bengal bring smaller but spirited teams. A near-equal gender split, with 202 female athletes among the 409 competitors, underscores the festival’s commitment to inclusivity.
International flair comes from athletes like Arjun Lal Jat, a 28-year-old Army rower from Delhi who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and clinched a silver in lightweight double sculls at the 2022 Asian Games. “The course at Dal Lake is world-class, and the competition is fierce. It’s an honour to row here,” Jat said.
The KIWSF leverages qualifiers from recent nationals—kayaking and canoeing in Tehri (November 2024) and rowing in Bhopal (March 2025)—ensuring only the top performers, including the top 15 in singles and doubles and top eight in fours, take to the water. Day 1 will see three kayaking and canoeing finals, while all 10 rowing finals are scheduled for August 23, promising a thrilling climax.
Competition manager Bilquis Mir, a former World Cup canoeist and Olympic judge, emphasised the event’s significance: “Without Services as a team, this is a unique opportunity for states to shine. The course meets global standards, and we’re ready for a spectacular show.”
As part of the Khelo Bharat Niti, the KIWSF aims to boost sports culture and tourism, following the success of the Khelo India Beach Games in Diu. With its blend of athletic prowess, scenic beauty, and cultural vibrancy, the festival is set to make waves in India’s sporting landscape.
