Khelo India Water Sports Festival - a springboard for global success, says Top Coaches

The sun may have been on the Khelo India Water Sports Festival (Kiwsf) 2025, but the first consolidated, national, open-age competition with kayak, coaching and rowing has a new chapter in the history of water sports in the country. The Games, hosted by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council under the supervision of the India Sports Authority, have lifted the enthusiasm of water sports and their coaches, while striving for the qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics and aims to win medals in other worldwide competitions. All the 24 gold medals, 10 were rowing, decided on Dal Lake from August 21 to 23, Olympic events were. Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Kerala brought out the top three states in the Khelo India Water Sports Festival. An iconic lake in Bhopal, a water sports training center along the bay of Bengal and a SAI Center of Excellence in the lap of Kerala’s enchanting rearwaters in Alappuzha, got headlines after athletes of these facilities made a big splash on the valley. The execution of exponents of water sports such as Rasmita Sahoo, Bidya Devi Oinam and Shruti Tanaji Chougule, who practice at Sai’s Jagatpur Center in Odisha; Dally Bishnoi, Shikha Chauhan and Pallavi Jagtab of MP and Vishal Dangi of Uttarakhand, gave the kayak and canoeing great hope. Shikha and Pallavi were part of an Indian troika that recently won a historic silver in the Asian Canoe Slalom Championships in Guizhou, China. The performance of kayakers and canoeists practicing at the five SAI centers across India was remarkable. Forty-seven Sai athletes won five gold, seven silvers and three bronze medals. Jagatpur, who had 15 athletes at KiwsF 2025, was the best with three gold and five silvers. Under the new sports policy (Khelo Bharat Niti) aimed at lifting and exposure, the KiwsF festival may be a game. The Dal games have already motivated the water sports brotherhood and gave the government’s support through its Tops (Target Olympic Podium scheme) and Tagg (Target Asian Games Group) schemes, and the impact can be seen in the Asian Games in Japan next year. More than 30 gold medals are each at stake in the Olympics and Asian Games in Kayak and Canoeing Alone, and India can surely think about winning a medal during these global encounters, experts feel. Coaches related to SAI’s National Centers of Excellence in Odisha and Kerala already sound motivated. The team champions Madhya Pradesh, who won 10 of the 24 gold medals in Kiwsf, were equally strengthened. The Powerhouse performance that Madhya Pradesh showed in Srinagar was no coincidence. It was a product of a carefully cherished ecosystem of discipline and ambition at the MP State Water Sports Academy of Excellence. “This is the result of months of intense preparation, a disciplined schedule and the confidence these young athletes have placed in us,” said Ankush Sharma, Madhya Pradesh’s kayak and canoeing coach. ‘Each Paddle stroke was supported by the goal. Each finish was a reflection of our training philosophy. ” Champa Mourya assisted Ankush. She played an important role in motivating the behind the scenes. “We not only worked on physical endurance, but also spiritual power,” she said. “These children have learned to thrive under pressure. And today their champions are not just from Madhya Pradesh, but the whole country,” Champa added. The quest to win global honors is only getting stronger, she said. Odisha’s performance indicates a shift in India’s coach for water card card in Jagatpur, Laisharam Johnson Singh, said Odisha’s achievements indicate a shift in India’s water card. “This is only the beginning for Odisha. The talent pool is deep, and with more investment and support we will soon lead. ‘ Johnson, known for his patient mentoring style, emphasized the importance of exposure and competitive experience. “Our rowers learn to trust the process. Silver today, Gold tomorrow,” he said. “The process must continue and the results will come.” While Kerala was third with 7 medals, including 3 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze, their performance was nothing less than inspiring. Coach Prithviraj Nandkumar Shinde said: “Kerala has always had a legacy in water sports. This year we added another chapter to it.” He added that building the fundamentals would make the athletes perfect and better. The top three teams, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Kerala, walked away with not only medals, but also with stories of gravel and growth. Behind each podium finish was the unwavering belief of a coach. Now it’s about making the next level. Dalip Beniwal, Sai’s high -performance and senior coach at Jagatpur, feels that the Khelo India Water Sports Festival in Srinagar is a springboard for the fraternity, especially kayaking and canoeing. “We have rowers representing India in the Olympics and Asian Games. Our kayakers and canoeists can certainly do the same if they get the exposure they deserve. The games here were an eye opener,” Beniwal said. Beniwal supported SAI’s Nehru Park facility at Dal Lake as a high -performance training center. “The low oxygen in Srinagar helps build strength and endurance. If our sports persons are assured of jobs from government and corporate sectors, they can really make a mark in water sports,” says Beniwal.