Srinagar, Aug. 22 -- The Khelo India Water Sports festival -2025 commenced on Thursday with over 400 athletes from across the country competing in six water sports. For the next three days, the tranquil waters of Dal Lakeare going to be loud amid bouts of amusement as the festivalis being organised for thefirst time in the Himalayan valley. Apart from the athletes, over 400 officials from 28 states and eight Union territories have also converged. "Dal lake is hosting its first ever Khelo India WaterSports festival in which athletes are competing in sports like kayaking, canoeing and rowing. Some of the athletes demonstrate in sports like Shikara race, Dragon boat and water skiing," said Anissa Nabi, chief sports officer of J&K Sports Council. "There would be a lot of cultural festivities because the festival is not just showcasing water sports but art, culture and cuisine of Jammu and Kashmir. This is going to be an amazing experience the athletes who are here from different states as well as officials and we hope to have a great show," she said. The three-day event, being organised by J&K Sports Council in collaboration with the Union ministry of youth affairs and sports and Sports Authority of India (SAI), will end onSaturday. On the first day, Mohsin Ali of Jammu & Kashmir made waves at Khelo India, securing gold in K-1 Kayaking 1000m (Men). "A true champion on water," said J&K sports council in praise of his achievement. Madhya Pradesh also rowed their way to gold in rowing while Maharashtra claimed silver, and Telangana secured bronze at the event. On the inaugural day, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, minister of state for youth affairs and sports, Government of India, reviewed the progress of Khelo India Water Sports-2025 and encouraging initiatives to strengthen India's sporting future, the J&K sports council said. In the evening, an official function was held at SKICC to welcome the athletes and officials. Chief minister Omar Abdullah said that there can be no better place than Dal Lake toorganise Khelo India water sports. "Water sports and Dal Lake share a special bond. Through Khelo India Water Sports, this bond has been given a new colour. I welcome all the players who have come here to participate in these games. You may have heard it many times, but it is true, winning is not everything; participation is most important. We hope we are able to host you well, " he said. "This lake is our identity and has its association with water sports as long back as the people living here. Hardly there would be any resident of Srinagar who hasn't learned swimming in the lake. I have started water skiing from this lake," the chief minister further said....