Srinagar, Aug. 25 -- The sun may have set on the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025, but the first-ever consolidated, national-level, Open-age competition featuring kayaking, coaching and rowing has set 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 Sports Authority of India, have lifted the enthusiasm of water sports athletes and their coaches as they eye qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 and aim to win medals in other global competitions. All 24 gold medals, 10 of which were in rowing, were decided at Dal Lake from August 21-23 and were Olympic events.

Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Kerala emerged as the top three states ...