Madhya Pradesh Dominates Khelo India Water Sports Festival, Odisha Claims Second Spot

The inaugural Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) in Srinagar concluded with Madhya Pradesh emerging as the dominant state in the medal tally. The two-day event featured intense competition across various water sports disciplines including sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and rowing.

Madhya Pradesh showcased exceptional skill and determination, securing the highest number of medals and exhibiting strong performances particularly in canoeing and kayaking events. Several state paddlers achieved personal bests and national-level scores.

Odisha claimed the second position with impressive results in sailing and rowing, reflecting the growing investment and interest in water sports within both states.

Event Highlights

• The festival was held on Dal Lake and other local water bodies in Srinagar, presenting challenging conditions but fostering excellent sportsmanship.
• The athletes expressed satisfaction with the event’s organization, praising the facilities and enthusiastic crowd support provided by the local residents.
• The event acted as a qualifier for national championships, adding significant competitive importance.

The success of the first KIWSF marks an important step for water sports development in India, aiming to identify young talent for future international events. Officials from the Sports Authority of India plan to expand the festival next year by inviting more participants and increasing the diversity of events.

Quotes

1. The Madhya Pradesh head coach stated, “Our paddlers trained hard for months, and this victory is a result of their dedication.”
2. Athletes were unanimous in their praise for the event’s organization and the supportive atmosphere created by the people of Srinagar.

Both Madhya Pradesh and Odisha look forward to building on this success to strengthen India’s presence in global water sports competitions. For further updates, stay tuned to Space Sports.

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