Dal Lake to Host Inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival

Srinagar: The iconic Dal Lake, long known as the heart of Kashmir’s tourism and culture, is preparing for a historic transformation as it gears up to host the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) from August 21 to 23. The event will mark the maiden national-level water sports competition on the lake, positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a new hub for aquatic sports.

More than 400 athletes representing 36 states and Union Territories will compete in three medal events—rowing, kayaking, and canoeing. Adding to the excitement, the festival will also feature demonstration events such as water skiing, dragon boat racing, and the much-anticipated shikara sprint, blending sport with Kashmiri tradition.

The festival is being organized jointly by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the J&K Sports Council under the Union Sports Ministry’s Khelo Bharat Niti, a national policy aimed at promoting sports and boosting commercial opportunities within the ecosystem. Officials believe the event will do for Dal Lake what the Khelo India Winter Games achieved for Gulmarg, now recognized as India’s premier winter sports destination.

“This is not just an event—it is the beginning of a new era for water sports in our country,” said Bilquis Mir, international canoeing and kayaking judge, who was the first Indian woman to participate in a World Cup. “I am confident this festival will inspire a new generation of athletes.”

Local talent is also in the spotlight. Mohsin Ali, a J&K kayaking champion with 15 national medals, said he was determined to bring home a gold. “Competing on my home waters makes this even more special,” he said.

Beyond competition, the event carries cultural and ecological resonance. Authorities have stepped up lake management through deweeding and conservation efforts, while the festival branding highlights local identity with a Himalayan Kingfisher mascot and a shikara-inspired logo.

Residents of Dal Lake, including houseboat owners and shikarawallas, view the festival as an opportunity to showcase their way of life. “The games will not only bring athletes but also highlight the beauty of our lake—the floating gardens, lotus harvests, and the Zabarwan range,” said Muhammad Rafiq Malla, a shikarawalla and water sports enthusiast.

With Dal Lake set to welcome athletes from across the country, the festival promises to blend sport, culture, and community spirit, giving Kashmir’s jewel of a lake a new place on India’s sporting map.