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Key Points

The Khelo India Water Games Festival 2025 is making waves at Srinagar's iconic Dal Lake. Coach Laishram Johnson Singh praised the excellent organization and facilities provided to athletes. Madhya Pradesh emerged as the dominant force, sweeping all four gold medals on the second day. The event features Olympic disciplines and aims to develop talent for international competitions like the Asian Games and Olympics.

Key Points: Coach Johnson Singh Lauds Khelo India Water Games at Dal Lake

  • First-ever open-age water sports meet with all 36 states participating
  • Madhya Pradesh dominates with four gold medals on Day 2
  • Event features Olympic medal disciplines including kayaking and canoeing
  • Officials target Asian Games medals and 2028 Olympics qualification
2 min read

Kayaking, Canoeing coach Laishram Johnson Singh lauds Khelo India Water Games Festival 2025

Kayaking coach Laishram Johnson Singh praises the organization of Khelo India Water Games Festival 2025 in Srinagar, highlighting facilities and venue quality.

"This is a very good program. From accommodation to facilities, food to transportation, everything is well organised. - Laishram Johnson Singh"

Srinagar, August 22

Kayaking and Canoeing Coach Laishram Johnson Singh hails the Khelo India Water Games Festival 2025, which is currently underway at the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar.

All 36 states and Union Territories took part in the first-ever Games, which was an open-age category meet. This water sports carnival is the second Khelo India event in J-K after the Khelo India Winter Games held in Gulmarg.

Speaking to ANI, Johnson Singh said, "This (Khelo India Water Games Festival 2025) is a very good program. From accommodation to facilities, food to transportation, everything is well organised. The venue of the competition is also good, and the event is proceeding fairly."

Dileep Kumar, Kayaking and Canoeing jury of Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025, expressed gratitude towards the Indian government and the Ministry of Youth Affairs, adding kayaking and canoeing in Khelo India, and said winning medals in the Asian Games and the Olympics is our target.

"We are very thankful to the Indian government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, for giving the preference to kayaking and canoeing to include in Khelo India with the support of all these federations and the government. We should achieve our target very soon by winning a medal in the Asian Games and qualifying for the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, and that is our target," Dileep Kumar said.

Madhya Pradesh made a clean sweep of all four gold medals at stake on Day 2 of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival here at the Dal Lake on Friday. Hosts Jammu and Kashmir added a silver to their overnight tally while two more silvers left Odisha at No. 2 in the medal standings.

On another warm day, all four finals in canoeing and kayaking were scheduled in the second half of the day. Madhya Pradesh, a major force in water sports, won its first gold medal in the men's 500m kayaking doubles and never looked back after that to go No. 1 on the standings.

Seven gold medals have been decided so far, and on the final day on Saturday, 17 medals will be decided, and 10 of them will be in rowing. With several Services rowers representing the 28 states and Union Territories taking part in these Games, it should see some keen competition. All events being held here are Olympic medal events.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great initiative by the government! Finally seeing proper infrastructure for water sports. MP dominating as expected - they have excellent training facilities in Bhopal.
A
Aman W
While the event looks good, I hope they're also focusing on developing talent from coastal states like Kerala, Goa, and Odisha where water sports should naturally thrive. Need more regional balance.
S
Sarah B
Wonderful to see Jammu & Kashmir hosting such events! Sports can be such a unifying force for our country. The scenery at Dal Lake must be breathtaking for the athletes 🏔️
V
Vikram M
Olympic qualification target is ambitious but achievable! We need more such competitions throughout the year, not just one festival. Consistency is key for building champions.
N
Nisha Z
Hope they show this on DD Sports or streaming platforms. Would love to watch our athletes compete! Water sports need more visibility in India.

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