Will the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 Propel J&K Athletes to National Fame at Dal Lake?

Srinagar, Aug 19 (NationPress) The first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 is anticipated to be a transformative experience for many. Local residents who rely on tourism are excited about the event as it promises to attract numerous visitors from across the nation. Meanwhile, athletes from Jammu and Kashmir view this as a significant chance to compete with some of India’s finest and achieve national recognition.

The Khelo India Water Sports Festival, scheduled from Aug. 21-23, will feature a high-level, open-age competition across three medal sports: rowing, canoeing, and kayaking. Over 400 athletes from 36 states and Union territories will gather at the renowned Dal Lake, a world-famous tourist destination, to showcase their talents.

Muhammad Abbas Kand, from Rainawari in downtown Srinagar, has been diligently preparing for the upcoming Water Games. He is set to compete in rowing doubles in the lightweight category. Abbas recently completed a 21-day training camp for water sports athletes held at the Water Sports Centre in Nehru Park, nestled within Dal Lake, and is eager to perform.

“I am optimistic about winning a gold medal for Jammu and Kashmir. The fact that the Games are taking place at Dal Lake is thrilling. It will elevate the profile of water sports in our region and spotlight athletes like myself,” expressed Abbas.

With nine medals at the state and district levels and participation in seven national events, including the 37th National Games in Goa, Abbas is among 17 water sports athletes from J&K competing in the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025.

Abbas and his fellow athletes from J&K have been training under the mentorship of coaches Parvez Ahmad Shagu from the J&K Police team and Waseem Raja from the J&K Sports Association.

Like Abbas, teammates Irtiza Ali and Muntazir Ali are eager to represent their region in the rowing pairs event at the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025.

Irtiza, hailing from the Saida Kadal area of Srinagar, previously secured a bronze medal in the 43rd junior national rowing championships at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. He aims to enhance his performance and clinch gold this time around, buoyed by local support.

Another promising J&K athlete, Zahid Hussain, is looking to make an impact at the KIWSF. A national bronze medalist, Zahid has also garnered 25 medals at the district and state levels and will participate in the canoe slalom event. “Team India water sports athletes will be here, and we aim to learn techniques from them while competing fiercely,” Zahid stated confidently.

Marya Jan, a coach specializing in kayaking and canoeing, noted that the Dal Lake Games will elevate the profile of water sports in J&K, much like how the Khelo India Winter Games brought global attention to Gulmarg. “Our local athletes have been training rigorously and are expected to win numerous medals,” Marya added.