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Inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 Held at Dal Lake, Srinagar

Sports | Dated: 28 Aug 2025

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS), Government of India, successfully organised the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) 2025 at Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, from 21st to 23rd August 2025. The 3-day mega sporting event was hosted under the Khelo India Mission to promote water-based sports and boost youth participation in aquatic disciplines.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The inaugural edition of KIWSF 2025 brought together more than 500 athletes representing 28 States and Union Territories (UTs) of India. The festival featured medal events in rowing, canoeing, and kayaking, where 24 medals were at stake.
  • - Alongside, culturally enriching demonstration events like Shikara Race, Dragon Boat Race, and Water Skiing were also conducted to highlight the fusion of sport and Kashmiri tradition.
  • - The festival’s branding was built around the theme of agility and heritage. The official mascot was the Himalayan Kingfisher, symbolising speed, energy, and precision. The logo, designed around a traditional Kashmiri Shikara gliding on Dal Lake, reflected both the natural beauty and cultural significance of Kashmir as a sports destination.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) Madhya Pradesh (MP) emerged as the overall champion of the inaugural edition, securing the top position in the medal tally with 10 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze medals, totalling 18. Odisha and Kerala followed as the second and third-best performing states. MP dominated the kayaking and canoeing events, sweeping all four gold medals on Day 2 and maintaining supremacy until the closing day.
  • (ii) A major highlight of KIWSF 2025 was the performance of Mohsin Ali, a 17-year-old local Shikarawalla from Dal Lake. He created history by clinching the very first gold medal of the festival in the 1000m Men’s Kayaking race, clocking 4 minutes and 12.41 seconds. His victory not only marked a personal milestone but also showcased the talent emerging from grassroots sporting communities of Kashmir.
  • (iii) Looking ahead, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has announced that the Khelo India Water Sports Festival will be expanded into a comprehensive Khelo India Water Games from 2026.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Where was the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) 2025 recently organised?

Correct Answer: Dal Lake, Srinagar

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS)

  • Cabinet Minister : Mansukh Mandaviya
  • Headquarters: New Delhi