Dal Lake Hosts First-Ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival
7Dal Lake in Srinagar transformed into a national sporting arena with the hosting of the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival from 21–23 August 2025. The event marks an important expansion of India’s sports ecosystem into water-based sporting disciplines while simultaneously promoting tourism, local livelihoods and regional infrastructure development in Jammu & Kashmir.The festival brought together more than 400 athletes from 36 States and Union Territories, making it one of the largest national-level water sports gatherings organised in the Himalayan region.
The festival included three medal disciplines:
Several demonstration events were also organised:
The inclusion of traditional and modern water events reflects an attempt to combine sports promotion with local cultural identity.
The event was jointly organised by:
| Organisation | Role |
|---|---|
| Sports Authority of India (SAI) | National sports promotion and management |
| Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council | Local coordination and infrastructure support |
The festival was organised under the broader Khelo Bharat / Khelo India initiative, which aims to:
The festival strengthens Jammu & Kashmir’s emerging identity as a multi-season sports destination.Previously, Gulmarg had already gained prominence through the hosting of multiple editions of the Khelo India Winter Games. The successful organisation of the water sports festival now positions Dal Lake as an important centre for:
The initiative diversifies tourism beyond conventional sightseeing and supports sports-led regional development.
The event carries major significance for local youth and athletes.Olympian and international canoeing judge Bilquis Mir, who began her sporting career on Dal Lake, described the festival as the beginning of a new era for Indian water sports.The event provides:
Local athletes from Jammu & Kashmir also gained the advantage of competing on home waters.
The festival is not limited to sports alone and has broader socio-economic implications.Dal Lake supports livelihoods linked to:
Increased tourism and sporting events can generate:
Local stakeholders highlighted that visitors also gain exposure to Kashmir’s traditional water-based lifestyle and floating settlements.
The event also emphasised environmental awareness and local cultural identity.Important features included:
These elements reflect attempts to integrate:
Dal Lake remains one of Kashmir’s most iconic geographical and cultural landmarks.Spread across nearly 18 square kilometres, the lake plays a critical role in:
The lake is also famous for:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir |
| Type | Urban freshwater lake |
| Approximate Area | 18 sq km |
| Importance | Tourism, fisheries, aquatic farming and houseboat economy |
| Famous Features | Shikaras, floating gardens, Mughal gardens |
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 21–23 August 2025 |
| Venue | Dal Lake, Srinagar |
| Participants | 400+ athletes |
| Representation | 36 States and Union Territories |
| Medal Events | Rowing, canoeing and kayaking |
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Nature | Autonomous organisation under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports |
| Function | Promotion and development of sports in India |
| Sport | Description |
|---|---|
| Rowing | Racing boats using oars |
| Canoeing | Paddle sport using canoes |
| Kayaking | Paddle sport using kayaks |
| Dragon Boat Racing | Team paddling sport |
| Water Skiing | Surface water sport involving skis |
Updated – 21 August 2025 ; 01:01 PM |DD News News Source