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Key Points

The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival is happening at Srinagar's iconic Dal Lake from August 21-23. Local athletes from Jammu and Kashmir are training intensely to compete against national champions in rowing, canoeing, and kayaking events. Competitors like Muhammad Abbas Kand are confident about winning gold medals and bringing recognition to J-K's water sports talent. The festival is also expected to significantly boost local tourism and put Kashmir's water sports scene on the national map.

Key Points: J-K Athletes Target Gold at Khelo India Water Sports Festival Dal Lake

  • Over 400 athletes from 36 states competing in rowing, canoeing, and kayaking
  • Local athletes trained under J-K Police and Sports Association coaches
  • Event expected to boost water sports profile in Kashmir region
  • Festival seen as economic boost for Srinagar's tourism industry
3 min read

Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025: J-K athletes aim for national glory at Dal Lake

Jammu and Kashmir athletes like Muhammad Abbas Kand aim for national glory as the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 brings top competition to Srinagar's Dal Lake.

"I am hopeful of fetching a gold medal for Jammu and Kashmir - Muhammad Abbas Kand"

Srinagar, August 19

The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 is being seen as a life-changer for many. While locals who win their daily bread through tourism are looking forward to the event because it will bring a lot of visitors from all across the country, Jammu and Kashmir athletes see this as a massive opportunity to challenge some of India's best and win national accolades, according to a release from SAI media.

The Khelo India Water Sports Festival from August 21-23 will be a top-tier, open-age competition in three medal sports - rowing, canoeing and kayaking. More than 400 athletes from the 36 states and Union territories are here to compete at the iconic Dal Lake, an established world-famous tourist spot.

Muhammad Abbas Kand of Rainawari in Srinagar downtown has been preparing hard for the upcoming Water Games. He will take part in rowing doubles in the lightweight category. Abbas participated in a 21-day camp for water sports athletes organised at the Water Sports Centre in Nehru Park, located inside the Dal Lake and is now raring to go.

"I am hopeful of fetching a gold medal for Jammu and Kashmir. I am also elated that the Games are being held inside Dal Lake. It will give a boost to water sports in the region and also bring the much-needed limelight to water sports athletes like me," said Abbas, as quoted from a release by SAI media.

Abbas, who has won nine state and district-level medals and participated in seven national events, including the 37th National Games in Goa, is among the 17 water sports athletes from Jammu and Kashmir participating in the competitive sport events at the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025.

Abbas and other water sports athletes from J-K have been training under the guidance of water sports coaches Parvez Ahmad Shagu of the Jammu and Kashmir Police team and Waseem Raja of the J-K Sports Association.

Like Abbas, his fellow water sports athletes from J&K, Irtiza Ali and Muntazir Ali, are also enthusiastic about their participation in the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 in the rowing Pairs event.

Irtiza, who hails from the Saida Kadal area of Srinagar and won a bronze medal in the 43rd junior national rowing championships at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, aims to improve his performance and secure a gold medal this time around. He is also counting on a lot of home support.

Zahid Hussain is another J&K water sports athlete who is keen to make a splash in KIWSF. Zahid, a national bronze medal winner, has also won 25 district and state medals. He will be taking part in the canoe slalom event.

"Team India water sports athletes will come here. We will learn techniques from them. We will race with them really hard," Zahid promised.

Marya Jan, a kayaking and canoeing coach, said the Dal Lake Games will lift the profile of water sports in J&K exactly how the Khelo India Winter Games brought world attention to Gulmarg.

"The locals have been training hard and should win a lot of medals," said Marya.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So proud of these athletes! They've been training hard despite limited resources. Hope this festival becomes an annual event and puts J&K on the water sports map of India. Go get that gold, boys! 💪
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Aman W
Great to see such events in Kashmir. Not only promotes sports but also boosts tourism. My family is planning to visit Srinagar during the festival. Double benefit for local economy! 🚣‍♂️
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Sarah B
While this is fantastic, I hope the infrastructure development continues after the event. Often we see temporary enthusiasm that fades away. Need permanent water sports facilities in J&K for sustained growth.
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Vikram M
Zahid Hussain's attitude is exactly what we need! Learning from national athletes while competing fiercely. This is how sporting culture grows. Best of luck to all J&K participants! 🏅
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Nisha Z
Home advantage should work wonders for our athletes! The local support will be tremendous. Hope they make the most of this opportunity and bring medals to Jammu and Kashmir. 🤞

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