Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha attended the opening ceremony of "Khelo India Water Sports Festival-2025” at the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor extended a warm welcome and best wishes to all participating athletes and team officials. He congratulated the Union Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India, J&K Sports Council, sports enthusiasts, water sports veterans and people of Jammu Kashmir on the momentous occasion.
He also expressed his gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for giving the historic city of Srinagar the opportunity to host the country's first ‘Khelo India Water Sports Festival’.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that the participation of 800 athletes from 28 States/UTs in this mega national sports event will project J&K UT as the Water Sports Capital of the Country.
“Hosting of national-level sporting event with participants from across the country sends a strong message of peace, normalcy and progress in J&K. While winter sports attract visitors during snow season, water sports will promote summer tourism benefiting the local economy.
Next two days the competitive Games will provide a unique opportunity for sportspersons from all over the country to stay together, live and compete in the same environment and showcase the sporting excellence,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor, in his address, shared the extraordinary journey of J&K towards becoming a sporting powerhouse.
“I am proud to say that Sports in J&K UT have got its due under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Modern sports infrastructure has been developed under his guidance across Jammu Kashmir and sporting facilities have been made available to youngsters in rural areas,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said the scale and magnitude of sports events organised in Jammu Kashmir for the last 5-6 years is impressive and unprecedented.
The Lieutenant Governor also thanked the Government of India for developing a vibrant 'Sports Culture' in J&K UT which has encouraged the children and youth of Jammu Kashmir to play and realise their dreams.
Our goal is to nurture and advance the skills of talented youth of J&K. It is also preventing them from falling prey to anti-social activities and drugs. From 3-4 lakh per year before 2019 the number of youngsters getting opportunity to play has gone up to 30-40 lakh per year, he further said.
The Lieutenant Governor also urged the children and youth to take keen interest in water sports.
“We must set our sights on International Water Sports Games. Unless we aim high, we will never be able to reach the top. We can do much better in these games,” the Lieutenant Governor further said.
He observed that Water Sports Games help in building the national character by inculcating in us team spirit. They are also an occasion for promoting national integration. Your unity in your diversity is a symbol of the spirit of India. It is participation and sportsmanship, more than winning or losing, which will strengthen the bond between Sportspersons, he added.
The Lieutenant Governor called upon the players and officials to become the ambassadors of new Jammu Kashmir.
“When you return home, tell your friends and family that the youth of Jammu Kashmir are now actively engaged in sports, participating in a wide range of activities just like their counterparts across India.
The schools and colleges here are now open year-round, and the playgrounds are alive with the energy of the youth. Now calendars are published in J&K for Khelo India and other national-international games and not for strikes and shutdowns. The voices of the youth are now heard in stadiums, not in the streets,” he said.
Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs and Sports declared the Khelo India Water Sports Festival open through video message.
The three-day event features competitive sports events in rowing, canoeing, and kayaking. The festival is also showcasing demonstration events such as water skiing, dragon boat racing, and a shikara race.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Ms Raksha Nikhil Khadse; Chief Minister, Shri Omar Abdullah; Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science & Technology, IT, Youth Services & Sports and ARI & Trainings, Shri Satish Sharma; Commissioner Secretary, Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Sarmad Hafeez; IGP Kashmir, Shri VK Birdi; Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shri Akshay Labroo; Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Ms 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.