First Khelo India Water Sports Festival opens at Dal Lake, Srinagar
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya declared the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival open on 21 August 2025 at Dal Lake, Srinagar, with more than 500 athletes from 28 states and UTs.
Summary
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya declared the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) open through a video message on 21 August 2025 at Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The three-day event, ending on 23 August, has more than 500 athletes from 28 states and UTs; rowing, canoeing and kayaking carry 24 medals, while shikara sprints, dragon boat race and water skiing are demonstration events. J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was chief guest, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was guest of honour, and Minister of State Raksha Nikhil Khadse attended the opening. The KIWSF is the second addition to the Khelo India calendar after the Khelo India Beach Games in Diu in May 2025.
Key facts
- Opened
- 21 Aug 2025 (to 23 Aug)
- Venue
- Dal Lake, Srinagar, J&K
- Edition
- Inaugural
- Athletes
- 500+ from 28 states and UTs
- Medal sports
- Rowing, canoeing, kayaking – 24 medals
- Demonstration
- Shikara sprints, dragon boat race, water skiing
- Khelo India calendar
- Second addition after Khelo India Beach Games, Diu (May 2025)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where was the inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival held from 21 to 23 August 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Dal Lake, Srinagar
The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival was held at Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, from 21 to 23 August 2025.
The Khelo India Water Sports Festival is the second addition to the Khelo India calendar after which event held in May 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Khelo India Beach Games, Diu
The PIB release says the KIWSF is the second addition to the expanding Khelo India calendar after the Khelo India Beach Games in Diu in May.
Consider the following statements about the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025: 1. Shikara sprint was one of the medal events. 2. Rowing, canoeing and kayaking together carried 24 medals. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: shikara sprints, dragon boat race and water skiing were demonstration events. Statement 2 is correct: rowing, canoeing and kayaking had 24 medals up for grabs.