The first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival will be held at Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake from the 21st of August. This was announced by the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya. The three-day water sports festival will see five sports: kayaking and canoeing, rowing, water skiing, shikara race and dragon boat. The open-age competition is expected to see participation of more than 400 athletes from the 36 States and Union Territories. He said that the Khelo India Water Sports Festival is another proof of the government’s commitment to broad-based sports and creating more opportunities for athletes to express themselves at the national level. The Minister said India has a decent standing in water sports in Asia. The water sports festival in Dal Lake will help expose emerging talent and prepare them for international events.