Overview

• Seventeen-year-old shikarawalla Mohsin Ali won the men’s 1000m kayaking in 4:12:717, securing the festival’s first gold for J&K.
• At least 409 athletes from 36 states and union territories are competing for 24 gold medals across rowing, canoeing and kayaking, with 202 women entered.
• Water skiing, shikara sprints and dragon boat racing are featured as demonstration events alongside the medal program.
• The festival was declared open by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya via video, with LG Manoj Sinha, CM Omar Abdullah and MoS Raksha Nikhil Khadse at the ceremony.
• Qualification drew on recent nationals—Tehri for kayaking and canoeing and Bhopal for rowing—and the three-day event runs through August 23.