Khelo India Water Sports Festival to Debut at Srinagar's Dal Lake

Srinagar, Aug 18 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir is set to make waves as a prime sporting destination with the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) at Dal Lake, scheduled from August 21-23.

In an effort to further enhance the region's sports profile, over 400 athletes from 36 states and Union Territories will compete in three medal events: rowing, kayaking, and canoeing. This initiative follows the successful hosting of five editions of the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg.

Renowned for its picturesque beauty, Dal Lake is poised to become a center of competitive water sports through the hosting of KIWSF, jointly organized by the Sports Authority of India and the J&K Sports Council.

"This event marks the beginning of a new era in water sports in India," remarked Bilquis Mir, an Olympic judge and a notable figure in canoeing and kayaking. She expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and the Khelo India team for prioritizing water sports.

Alongside the medal events, the KIWSF will also feature three demonstration events: water skiing, dragon boat race, and the 'shikara' sprint.

Bilquis Mir, who began her journey in water sports as a 10-year-old paddling on Dal Lake, shared her experiences, stating, "Representing India on the world stage was a dream come true." She believes the KIWSF will inspire young athletes with similar aspirations.

Water sports coach Muhammad Imtiyaz commented on the transformative impact of the Khelo India Games, emphasizing, "Similar to how the Winter Sports Games put Gulmarg on the map, the Khelo India Water Sports Festival will elevate Jammu and Kashmir in the realm of water sports."

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