Water Sports Festival debut set for Dal Lake, Srinagar, in the month of August
The sports scene in India is all set to witness an exciting new event as the first edition of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) is scheduled to take place from August 21 to 23, 2025, at the picturesque Dal Lake in Srinagar.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, announced the much-anticipated festival, which aims to expose and nurture emerging talent in water sports, preparing them for international events. The event will be held at the iconic Dal Lake, a well-known tourist destination and an ideal venue for water sports activities.
The KIWSF is part of the expanding Khelo India calendar and is expected to attract over 400 athletes from the 36 states and Union Territories of India. The competition will be held on a merit basis, as decided by the Games Technical Conduct Committee.
While the specific sports disciplines for the festival are yet to be officially confirmed, the Khelo India program typically promotes a diverse range of sports across various platforms. For water sports, one might expect to see activities such as rowing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, or similar events.
The festival is organised under the Sports Competition and Talent Development vertical of the Khelo India Scheme. The National Sports Federation will nominate athletes for the competition based on their performance at national championships or other suitable events.
It's important to note that the KIWSF is not related to the fifth Khelo India event in 2025, which will be a separate event and will not feature water sports like kayaking and canoeing, rowing, water skiing, a shikara race, and dragon boat racing. The fifth Khelo India event in 2025 will not be an open-age competition, and it will not be held at Srinagar's Dal Lake.
The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival promises to be an exciting addition to India's sports calendar, providing a platform for talented water sports enthusiasts to showcase their skills and potentially represent the country on the international stage. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new event!
The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) is set to offer an opportunity for the public to share their opinion on the upcoming water sports events, promising a thrilling spectacle for sports enthusiasts. As the festival combines various water sports like rowing, kayaking, and sailing, it is anticipated that the sports news will be filled with the latest developments and athlete performances.
