Dal Lake Makes Waves: Kick-off Khelo India's Premier Water Sports Festival

Jammu & Kashmir's iconic Dal Lake is set to host India's first Khelo India Water Sports Festival from August 21-23, featuring more than 400 athletes competing in rowing, kayaking, and canoeing. This event marks a major step forward in promoting water sports and elevating the region as a national sporting destination.

The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival is poised to transform the picturesque Dal Lake into a hotspot for competitive water sports. From August 21-23, this famed Kashmir venue will host the nation's first open water sports competition, bolstering the Union Territory's standing as an emerging sports destination.

More than 400 athletes representing 36 states and Union Territories will vie for medals in rowing, kayaking, and canoeing. The event is a joint effort between the Sports Authority of India and the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council, aiming to uncover the region's potential beyond winter sports.

Bilquis Mir, a prominent figure in canoeing and kayaking, lauds the festival as a new era for water sports in India. Anticipated events include water skiing and shikara sprints, driving enthusiasm among local communities and sports experts alike.

Mohsin Ali, a young kayaking champion, embodies the ambition this festival seeks to ignite. Sharing his dream of national glory, Ali points to the Khelo India initiative as a catalyst for nurturing local talent and enhancing the sports ecosystem.

Shikarawalla Muhammad Rafiq Malla speaks to the festival's broader impact, envisioning Dal Lake as both a sports hub and a lively cultural arena. As the echoes of competition and community resonate across the lake, Khelo India strives to redefine the national sports narrative.

(With inputs from agencies.)