Dal Lake to host first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival

Dal Lake, long celebrated as the soul of Srinagar and a symbol of Kashmir’s heritage, is set to don a new identity as a sporting arena. From August 21 to 23, the iconic water body will host the inaugural ‘Khelo India Water Sports Festival’, a national event bringing together athletes, culture, and local livelihoods.

More than 400 athletes from 36 states and union territories will compete in three medal events — rowing, canoeing, and kayaking — alongside demonstration events such as water skiing, dragon boat racing, and a shikara sprint. The three-day festival will blend sporting excellence with the unique cultural landscape of Kashmir.

The event is being organised jointly by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council under the government’s ‘Khelo Bharat’ initiative. The policy aims to expand grassroots sports, generate local employment, and upgrade infrastructure.

Jammu & Kashmir has already established itself as India’s winter sports hub with Gulmarg hosting five editions of the Khelo India Winter Games. With Dal Lake now in the spotlight, the region is expected to also emerge as a premier destination for water sports.

“The Khelo India Winter Sports Games put Gulmarg on the sporting map. Similarly, this festival will make Jammu & Kashmir a centre for water sports,” coach Mohammad Imtiaz said.

Olympian and international canoeing judge Bilquis Mir, who began her sporting journey on Dal Lake in the 1990s, said the festival marks a turning point:
“This is not just an event but the beginning of a new era for water sports in our country. It will inspire a generation of athletes who dream of representing India on the world stage.”

Local athletes are also looking forward to the opportunity. Mohsin Ali, a kayaking champion from J&K who has already bagged 15 national medals, said he is training with the hope of winning gold at the home venue.

Beyond the races, the festival will highlight Kashmir’s cultural and ecological identity. Cleaning drives have been launched to preserve the lake’s environment, while the mascot — the Himalayan Kingfisher — and a logo featuring a shikara reflect its local character.

Shikara operator and former athlete Mohammad Rafiq Malla believes the event will bring opportunities beyond sports. “This festival will benefit athletes as well as people like me who live on the lake. Visitors will get to see our daily life on the water, from floating gardens to the beauty of the Zabarwan mountains,” he said.

Spread over 18 square kilometres, Dal Lake is central to the region’s economy and tourism, supporting fishing, aquatic farming, and a thriving houseboat industry. Surrounded by Mughal-era gardens and framed by the Himalayas, it has been immortalised in poetry and travel writing for centuries.

The Khelo India Water Sports Festival is poised to leave an indelible mark on both Dal Lake’s history and India’s sporting map.

DD NEWS