Aug 18, 2025: The Dal Lake, which will host the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) in six disciplines from August 21 to 23, will give Jammu and Kashmir's efforts to establish itself as a sporting destination a significant boost. More than 400 athletes from 36 states and Union Territories will participate in three medal events — rowing, kayaking and canoeing — as the sports ministry plans to further promote sports activities in the valley, following Gulmarg’s success in hosting five editions of the Khelo India Winter Games.
Dal Lake has been the center of Kashmiri tourism for decades. Now that the first KIWSF is taking place there, it will also become a popular spot for competitive sports. The ministry's most recent effort to give athletes, coaches, and the sports ecosystem new hope is the joint hosting of the KIWSF by the Sports Authority of India and the J&K Sports Council. “This is not just an event, it is the beginning of a new era for water sports in our country. Bilquis Mir, an Olympic judge and a well-known figure in the world of canoeing and kayaking, said, "On behalf of all the athletes, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Prime Minister Narendra Modi and sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya, as well as the entire Khelo India team for making water sports a priority and giving it the recognition it truly deserves." Additionally, three demonstration events, the "shikara sprint," the dragon boat race, and water skiing, will be on display at the inaugural KIWSF. “I dreamed of one day representing India when I started paddling here when I was 10 years old in the 1990s. That dream came true when I became the first woman from India to participate in a World Cup,” says Mir, adding, “I am confident that this event will be thrilling and will serve as a great inspiration for our young athletes who dream of representing India on the biggest stage.” A water sports coach named Muhammad Imtiyaz stated, "It was the Khelo India Winter Sports Games that turned Gulmarg into the country's winter sports hub." In a similar vein, the Khelo India Water Sports Festival will draw water sports athletes from all over the country to Jammu and Kashmir.