SRINAGAR: Bilquis Mir, Olympic jury member in water sports, has been nominated as the Competition Director for the first-ever Khelo India Water Sports Games scheduled to be held in Srinagar from August 21 to 23, 2025.
The Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA), in a formal communiqué to the Director General of the Youth Services and Sports Department, Jammu and Kashmir requested that Mir’s services be made available for the prestigious national-level event. “Bilquis Mir has represented India with distinction on several global platforms. Her experience and leadership will be invaluable in ensuring the Games are conducted at the highest standard,” noted IKCA President Prashant Kushwaha in the letter (Ref No: IKCA/001/2025).
The three-day championship will include competitions in kayaking, canoeing, and rowing, taking place on the scenic Dal Lake and other selected water bodies in Srinagar. Organised under the Government of India’s Khelo India initiative, the event aims to foster grassroots talent and place Srinagar firmly on the national water sports map.
As part of the run-up to the Games, senior competition officials, including Bilquis Mir (Canoeing and Kayaking) and Saji Thomas (Rowing), are currently undertaking a venue recce to assess infrastructure readiness and fine-tune logistical and operational details.
The nomination of Mir, a celebrated figure in Indian water sports and a native of Kashmir, has drawn widespread appreciation from across the Union Territory. Her appointment is being hailed not only as a personal milestone but as a powerful symbol of women’s leadership in Indian sports and a boost to Kashmir’s emerging identity as a hub for water-based adventure and sporting excellence.
Local stakeholders, officials, and athletes have welcomed the move, calling it a “historic breakthrough” that underscores Jammu and Kashmir’s growing prominence in national sporting events.
