The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) will begin today at the iconic Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, with Uttarakhand among the top states competing for glory. The three-day event will see more than 400 athletes from 36 states and Union Territories battle for 24 gold medals in rowing, canoeing, and kayaking.
A Showcase of Top Talent The KIWSF 2025 marks the first consolidated open-age national championship for water sports, featuring 14 canoeing and kayaking events and 10 rowing events, all of which are Olympic disciplines. Adding colour to the carnival are three demonstration events—water skiing, shikhara boat sprints, and dragon boat racing.
Uttarakhand in Focus With strong representation and a legacy of water sports through the Tehri Dam nationals held in November 2024, Uttarakhand is being closely watched as one of the favourites alongside Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Kerala. Athletes from these states are expected to make a significant mark on the medal tally.
Athletes, Representation, and Competition The event has drawn 409 athletes, including 202 women, ensuring almost equal representation. Madhya Pradesh leads with 44 athletes, followed by Haryana (37), Odisha (34), and Kerala (33). Smaller teams are fielded by Gujarat, Puducherry, and West Bengal.
For rowing, the top eight from the Bhopal nationals in March 2025 have qualified, while kayaking and canoeing participants emerged from the Tehri nationals. The headline attraction is Olympian Arjun Lal Jat, who represents Delhi and previously competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, later winning silver at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Event Schedule and Opening Ceremony On Day 1 (August 21st), three kayaking and canoeing finals will be decided, while all 10 rowing finals are set for August 23rd, the festival’s closing day. The opening ceremony, scheduled for this evening, will be attended by Union Minister of State Raksha Khadse and senior officials of Jammu and Kashmir.
Promoting Sports and Tourism The KIWSF is the second Khelo India event hosted in J&K after the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg. Officials say the water sports festival is not only a platform for athletes but also a boost for tourism in the Valley, aligning with the broader Khelo Bharat Niti to integrate sports development with local economies.
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