(Photo Credit: Special Arrangement)

Mohsin Ali, a 17-year-old shikarawalla from Srinagar, has won the first gold medal at the Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025. The event was held at Dal Lake from August 21 to 23 and included many athletes from across India. Mohsin won the 1000-meter kayaking event, making the people of Jammu and Kashmir proud.

He completed the race in 4 minutes and 12.41 seconds and came first in the men’s singles kayaking category. Mohsin works by rowing a shikara to take people on rides at Dal Lake. His win was supported and celebrated by many people in the region and around the country. This was also the first medal for Jammu & Kashmir in the event.

The Khelo India Water Sports Festival was managed by the Sports Authority of India and the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council. The goal was to promote water sports and show that Dal Lake could be used for national-level competitions. The event brought in over 400 athletes and 300 staff from 36 states and union territories.

Mohsin learned how to row by growing up near Dal Lake and working there. Winning the gold medal shows that people from local areas can also do well in national sports. His win is also a good example for young people in Kashmir who want to achieve something through sports.

People from both the state and central governments said that Mohsin’s success shows how much talent there is in the region. They also said that events like this help bring attention to positive stories and new opportunities for the youth.