The iconic Dal Lake in Kashmir, famous for its serene boating with a view of majestic mountains, has been humming with energy and activity for three days now, as the venue of the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival.
Participating Indian states have been proudly posting about medals won by their respective teams in the three-day (21-23 August 2025) games.
The Khelo India Water Sports Festival features more than 500 athletes from 28 Indian states and Union Territories competing in five events. While rowing, canoeing and kayaking have 24 medals up for grabs, shikara sprints, dragon boat race, and water skiing are demonstration events.
At the opening ceremony on Thursday, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the government wanted to make India a global sporting powerhouse. โToday, when athletes step into Kashmirโs Dal Lake with zeal and enthusiasm to create history, the sight will not only thrill all sports lovers, but will also present to the world a powerful picture of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India),โ said the minister.
He said, โUnder the Khelo India Games, we started organising sporting events across the country. We are proud to introduce the Khelo India Water Games in Jammu and Kashmir.โ
Union Minister of State for Sports, Raksha Khadse, who was present at the opening ceremony, said that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modiโs dream to improve the sporting culture of the nation. โI think these games and the Winter Games provide wonderful opportunities,โ added Khadse.
Jammu & Kashmir shares a long association with Khelo India: Omar Abdullah
Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed confidence that the maiden Khelo India Water Sports Festival would open new avenues for the youth of the Union territory and mark the beginning of many such events in the Kashmir Valley.
At the opening ceremony, Abdullah described the water sports festival as a โhistoric moment that blends the spirit of sports with the natural beauty of Kashmirโ.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said that Jammu and Kashmir shared a long association with Khelo India, having hosted the Winter Games in Gulmarg five times.
โWhen we hear Khelo India, winter immediately comes to mind, because we have grown up playing in the snow. But today, it is a matter of immense pride that Dal Lake is hosting the first-ever Water Sports Festival under Khelo India,โ he said.
Calling Dal Lake the โidentity of Srinagarโ, CM Abdullah said that the lake had nurtured generations through livelihoods, leisure, and adventure, citing the traditions of water skiing and the famed Dal Cross swimming challenge as symbols of Kashmirโs deep-rooted bond with water sports.
Emphasising upon the value of sportsmanship, he said that not everyone would win, but each participant would carry home the joy of competing, of being part of history, and of celebrating the true spirit of sports.
