Khelo India Water Sports Festival introduces its mascot ahead of the inaugural edition

Representational Image (Pic: X/@kheloindia)

The mascot of the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) was unveiled on Thursday. The event is set to be held at the Dal Lake from August 21 to 23, and is likely to see more than 400 athletes from across the country making their appearance.

The Himalayan Kingfisher will be the mascot of the mega event, which is a part of the Khelo India calendar. Before this, Diu hosted the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Beach Games in May.

"The Himalayan Kingfisher...embodies the spirit of adventure, nature, and competition in the Games. With its bold orange and blue, it represents energy, tranquillity, and the beauty of Kashmir," stated a press release from the Sports Authority of India.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, along with the Sports Authority of India and the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, will jointly host the event. The official social media handle of Jammu and Kashmir's Sports Council has shared a post which read, "Introducing our Mascot... #dalchupyaaran #jksportscouncil #sportsauthorityofIndia #kheloindia". Taking to X:

The event will also mark the second sporting tournament hosted by Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Gulmarg hosted the Khelo India Winter Games in March.

The KIWSF will feature rowing, canoeing and kayaking as medal events.

The demonstration events will be water skiing, shikara race and dragon boat race.

More than 400 athletes from 36 states and Union Territories are expected in Srinagar. J&K's Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, and the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq, released the mascot and the logo.

The official kits of the Games were also revealed.

"Gulmarg has already become the winter games capital of the country, and now Dal Lake will become the water sports hub of the country," said Sadiq.

(With PTI Inputs)