Jammu and Kashmir Athletes Shine at Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025

Athletes from Jammu and Kashmir have made headlines at the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025, securing multiple medals and showcasing their talent. Hailing from humble backgrounds, these young sportsmen have trained at the SAI facility in Dal Lake, which has played a crucial role in their success. With support from their families and coaches, they have overcome financial challenges to excel in kayaking and canoeing. Their achievements not only highlight their dedication but also emphasize the importance of sports in keeping youth engaged and away from negative influences. As India eyes the 2036 Olympics, the need for better training facilities in the region becomes increasingly evident.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 24, 2025, 05:14 IST

Success of Local Athletes at KIWSF 2025

In Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, athletes from modest backgrounds have made a remarkable impact at the Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) 2025, securing one gold, two silver, and one bronze medal. Their achievements have propelled the Union Territory to a commendable seventh place among 28 participating states and Union Territories.

According to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Mohsin Ali, Sajad Hussain, and Muhammad Hussain, who come from humble families, have brought pride to Jammu and Kashmir. Mohsin, the son of a carpenter, clinched gold in the K-1 1000 meter men's kayaking event, while Sajad earned silver in C-2 500-meter canoe slalom, and Muhammad secured silver in C-2 500-meter men's canoeing and bronze in C-1 1000-meter men's canoeing.

Despite their families facing financial challenges, these athletes are encouraged to pursue their passion for water sports, largely due to the support from SAI. The SAI facility at Nehru Park in Dal Lake has been pivotal in nurturing their talents.

Training at the SAI's Nehru Park Centre, the trio has benefited from the guidance of experienced coaches. Sajad shared that the centre not only provides training but also essential support for their education and athletic development.

He recounted how their coach, Zulfkar Ali Bhat, would drop them off at school after morning training sessions, allowing them to balance academics and sports. Sajad, who hails from a family of Shikarawallahs, noted the challenges of pursuing endurance sports like canoeing, which require a proper diet and rigorous training.

He expressed the difficulty of affording a suitable diet for athletes, stating, 'We do not have the means to even have the basic diet, and asking for a proper diet meant for water sports athletes is not possible for families like us.' To support his family, Sajad often takes on manual work after school.

Similarly, Muhammad Hussain, the son of a vegetable vendor, reflected on the hardships he faced on his journey to success and credited SAI for establishing the training centre that has been crucial for his achievements. He emphasized that without SAI's support, excelling in sports would have been unattainable.

Hussain also highlighted the positive impact of sports in keeping youth away from drug addiction, lamenting the sight of young people engaging in substance abuse instead of pursuing athletic endeavors.

Mohsin Ali echoed these sentiments, stating that his family's financial struggles made it difficult to pursue sports without SAI's assistance. He often helps his family by working as a Shikara rider.

Coach Zulfkar Ali Bhat noted that most athletes from Jammu and Kashmir come from working-class backgrounds, emphasizing the need for a National Centre of Excellence in Srinagar to nurture local talent.

As India prepares for the 2036 Olympics, Zulfkar expressed optimism that with proper resources and training facilities, athletes from Kashmir could achieve remarkable success on national and international stages.