Srinagar, Aug 20 (PTI) - The picturesque Dal Lake in Srinagar will come alive with action as it hosts the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival starting this Thursday. The festival will attract some of India’s top talents in canoeing, kayaking, and rowing, competing fiercely for 24 gold medals across three days. With over 400 athletes participating, states like Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala are poised to shine.
The KIWSF marks a milestone as the first comprehensive Open-age category championship featuring all 14 Olympic kayaking and canoeing events alongside 10 Olympic rowing events. In addition, it includes demonstration events such as water skiing, 'shikhara' boat sprints, and dragon boat racing, adding extra flair to the celebration.
A total of 36 states and union territories are set to participate. The absence of a Services team this year opens the field, presenting an exciting opportunity for states to prove their prowess on the international-standard course, as highlighted by competition manager Bilquis Mir, a former World Cup canoeist and Olympic judge.
Following the Khelo India Beach Games held in Diu this May, the KIWSF is a fresh addition to the Khelo India initiative, designed to promote sports and boost tourism under the Khelo Bharat Niti.
Suhani Meena, a rower from Madhya Pradesh, acknowledged the significance of KIWSF, emphasizing its importance in providing national-level exposure for water sports athletes who generally get limited opportunities.
Qualification standards for the event are stringent. For kayaking and canoeing, rankings from the nationals in Tehri (Uttarakhand) serve as the benchmark, with only top performers qualifying for KIWSF. In rowing, only the top players from the Bhopal nationals in March have made it to the festival.
One of the standout participants is Arjun Lal Jat, a celebrated rower representing Delhi, who has graced the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and clinched a silver in the lightweight double sculls at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Jat expressed his excitement for his inaugural Khelo India event, where he’ll compete in men’s single sculls and praised the support from the Government of India for such initiatives.
Notably, the KIWSF maintains a balanced gender representation with 202 female athletes among 409 participants. Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, and Kerala are fielding the largest teams, whereas Gujarat, Puducherry, and West Bengal have the smallest contingents.
Nitish Chaudhary, a prominent athlete from Rajasthan, praised the local climate and facilities, signalling the potential for thrilling competition. The opening day will witness three gold medal events in kayaking and canoeing, while all rowing finals are scheduled for August 23.
Union minister Raksha Khadse is expected to inaugurate the festival during the opening ceremony on Thursday.
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