17-yr-old wins first gold for J&K in Water Sports
*LG urges sportspersons to act as ‘Brand Ambassadors’ of J&K
* KIWSF is historic moment for J&K: Omar
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 21: The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, today said the Narendra Modi-led Government has a clear vision of making India a global sporting powerhouse.
Mandaviya was speaking through a video message while declaring the Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) open. “Today, when athletes step into Kashmir’s Dal Lake with zeal and enthusiasm to create history, the sight will not only thrill all sports lovers, but will also present to the world a powerful picture of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Great India),” Dr. Mandaviya said.
He extended best wishes to the young athletes, adding: “My wish is that you continue to uphold the pride of our nation with the same sporting spirit. With these words, I declare the Khelo India Water Sports Festival open.”
The Minister said that since 2014, when the Modi Government came to power, there has been a clear vision to make India a sporting powerhouse. “Under the Khelo India Games, we started organizing different sporting events across the country. We are proud to introduce the Khelo India Water Games in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, said that the Khelo India Water Sports Festival on Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake aims to make Kashmir the “capital of water sports” in the country and boost sports tourism in the Union Territory.
She was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural ceremony of the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival on the iconic Dal Lake. The three-day event, being held from August 21 to 23, has brought together nearly 800 athletes and officials from 28 states.
“Today is a big day for all of us. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister and with the support of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, the first Khelo India Water Sports Festival is taking place here. The atmosphere is very good and there is great excitement among the athletes,” Khadse said.
She said the aim is to make Jammu and Kashmir a hub of sports tourism. “Just like Jammu and Kashmir is the capital of winter games, similarly, Dal Lake should also become the capital of water sports. This event should not only remain limited to our country but should also reach international platforms,” she added.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha urged sportspersons to act as “brand ambassadors” of Jammu and Kashmir and said that the Union Territory has been transformed into a vibrant region during the past few years.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival at the SKICC on the banks of Dal Lake here, Sinha urged the participants from across the country to act as “brand ambassadors” of J&K and showcase its transformation to the world.
“My appeal to all sportspersons is to tell the people how J&K has developed during the past few years. You have to tell them that there are no bandh and hartal calendars anymore; now, Khelo India calendars are issued. The voices of our youth are heard in stadiums and not in the streets. These are the changes the entire nation is proud of,” he added.
The LG said J&K youth, who faced immense hardships over the past three decades, are now leading from the front and excelling in every discipline at par with youngsters from across the country.
Sinha expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Sports Minister for giving a major boost to sports in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Under the leadership of PM Modi, sports have thrived in the country. J&K is a glaring example of the efforts made in the last 11 years. A vibrant sports culture has developed here with special focus on water sports and winter sports,” he said. Recalling the successful hosting of the international Legends League in Srinagar recently, he said such events reflect the immense potential of J&K in sports.
“Water sports have a bright future here. The bonding between players will make this event a grand success,” he added.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the event as a “historic moment that blends the spirit of sports with the natural beauty of Kashmir.” Omar said Jammu and Kashmir shares a long association with Khelo India, having hosted the Winter Games in Gulmarg five times.
“When we hear Khelo India, winter immediately comes to mind because we have grown up playing in the snow. But today, it is a matter of immense pride that Dal Lake is hosting the first-ever Water Sports Festival under Khelo India,” he said.
Calling Dal Lake the “identity of Srinagar,” Omar Abdullah said the lake has nurtured generations through livelihoods, leisure and adventure, citing the traditions of water skiing and the famed Dal Cross swimming challenge as symbols of Kashmir’s deep-rooted bond with water sports.
Emphasizing the value of sportsmanship, he said, “Not everyone may win today, but each participant will carry home the joy of competing, of being part of history, and of celebrating the true spirit of sports.” The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the festival would open new avenues for the youth of J&K and mark the beginning of many such events in the Valley.
Minister for Youth Services and Sports Satish Sharma called the festival a “sign of peace and prosperity.” The minister congratulated athletes, coaches, parents, and the organizing team. “I would like to tell them to play well while maintaining the sportsman spirit. Best of luck. And this should become a regular event in the coming years. We have already held five Winter Games,” he noted.
At the inaugural event, folk dancers and local artists added colour as athletes, coaches, and volunteers gathered at Sher-i-Kashmir International Convocation Centre (SKICC) to mark the opening.
Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq, Commissioner Secretary, Youth Affairs and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez; IGP Kashmir, VK Birdi; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Akshay Labroo; Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul; senior officials of Police & civil administration, Sports Authority of India, J&K Sports Council, prominent sports personalities, sports lovers and people from different walks of life attended the opening ceremony.
For hosts J&K, the Games got off to a memorable start as 17-year-old Mohsin Ali, who also works as a shikarawalla on Dal Lake, won the men’s singles kayaking gold in the 1000m race.
Ali clocked 4:12.41 to beat Odisha’s Naoram James Singh (4:14.68) and Madhya Pradesh’s Mayank (4:23.28). Two more golds were decided in canoeing and kayaking. Vishal Kumar of Uttar Pradesh won the canoe singles, clocking 4:30.59 in the 1000m race.
Krishna Jat of Madhya Pradesh (4:31.36) claimed silver while J&K’s Mohammed Hussain (4:32.83) won bronze. “There is a lot of difference between participating in a water sports event in Uttar Pradesh and in Jammu and Kashmir due to the difference in altitude from sea level, and it causes breathing issues for those from the plains. But I was able to negotiate that and win gold,” Vishal said.
In the women’s final, Odisha’s Rasmita Sahoo won gold in the 200m canoe singles, clocking 53.53 seconds. Kerala’s Nakshathra Santosh (53.83) won silver, while MP’s Masuma Yadav (54.26) bagged bronze.
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