Background Context
- Khelo India Programme:
- Launched in 2018 to revive sports culture in India.
- Focus: Grassroots sports + infrastructure + athlete development.
- Now expanded into specialized verticals like Khelo India Winter Games (Gulmarg, J&K), Khelo India Para Games, and now Khelo India Water Sports Festival.
- Why Water Sports?
- India lags in Olympic water sports (rowing, kayaking, canoeing).
- Globally, these contribute a high medal share – e.g., 16 medals in canoeing & kayaking alone at the Olympics.
- Water bodies like Dal Lake, Vembanad (Kerala), and Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand) offer natural training infrastructure.
Relevance : Facts for Prelims
Key Highlights of the Event
- Venue: Dal Lake, Srinagar — chosen for scenic value + natural conditions similar to European water sports hubs.
- Participation:
- 409 athletes from 36 States/UTs.
- 202 women athletes (≈ 49.4%) → strong gender representation.
- Largest contingents: Madhya Pradesh (44), Haryana (37), Odisha (34), Kerala (33).
- Events:
- 24 Olympic events included (14 kayaking & canoeing, 10 rowing).
- First open-age national championship, unlike earlier age-specific Khelo India games.
- Notable figure:
- Bilquis Mir (India’s first Olympic jury member in 2025, from J&K), highlighting local representation.
Significance for Sports Development
- Olympic Strategy:
- India’s medal tally remains low in Olympics (7 in Tokyo 2020, 6 in Rio 2016).
- Sports like athletics, shooting, wrestling, badminton already have focus.
- Water sports = untapped medal potential → 16 Olympic medals in canoe/kayak + 14 in rowing.
- Regional Development (J&K):
- Dal Lake → global branding for Kashmir.
- Opportunity for J&K athletes to access professional exposure.
- Sport-tourism synergy: Boost to local economy via events + tourism.
- Gender Balance:
- 202 women athletes show deliberate push for inclusivity.
- Breaking stereotypes around women in water sports.
Challenges Ahead
- Infrastructure Gaps:
- Limited number of standard water sports training facilities in India.
- Equipment like racing shells, kayaks, coaching expertise often imported.
- Talent Pipeline:
- Grassroots scouting needed beyond urban/elite athletes.
- Need to expand to riverine and coastal states (Kerala, Odisha, Assam, Bengal, Goa).
- International Competitiveness:
- Countries like Hungary, Germany, Australia dominate water sports.
- India needs long-term coaching + exposure trips + scientific training.
Broader Implications
- For Sports Policy:
- Strengthens India’s diversification into non-traditional sports.
- Part of Olympic Vision 2036 (India’s aspiration to host Olympics).
- For Tourism & Diplomacy:
- Showcases Dal Lake internationally as a sports + tourism venue.
- Helps project J&K as stable, safe, and culturally rich.
- For Local Communities:
- Youth engagement → alternative to militancy and unemployment.
- Skill development in allied sectors (boat making, coaching, event management).
Way Forward
- Establish National Water Sports Centres at Dal Lake, Vembanad, Tehri, and Brahmaputra.
- Provide continuous funding under Khelo India + CSR partnerships.
- Build domestic competition circuit (annual leagues in rowing/kayaking).
- Forge international tie-ups with European water sports federations.
- Create special scholarships for water sports athletes (like TOPS scheme).
