A Golden Moment at Dal Lake
The Khelo India Water Sports Festival, held from August 21 to 23 in Srinagar, brought together athletes from 28 states and Union Territories. Events included rowing, canoeing, kayaking, dragon boat racing, shikara races, and water skiing. More than 800 participants competed, with women athletes nearly equalling male participation. Madhya Pradesh topped the medal tally, but Ali’s victory at Dal Lake stood out, sparking new interest in water sports in Kashmir.
PM Modi’s Encouragement
During the programme, PM Modi interacted with Ali and Odisha’s canoeing champion Rashmita Sahu. The prime minister congratulated Ali, his coach Bilquis Mir, and his family for their perseverance. “When the son of a labourer dreams of Olympic gold, it shows how far our youth can go,” Modi said, adding that he got goosebumps hearing Ali’s ambition to win for India.
Ali, whose father works as a labourer to support a family of seven, expressed gratitude for the prime minister’s encouragement. “His words are a big motivation, not just for me but for every youngster who dreams of representing India,” Ali said in an interview with PTI. He also dedicated his success to his coach Bilquis Mir, a renowned canoeist and India’s first woman jury member at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Inspiration Beyond Sports
Ali revealed that he was inspired to pursue kayaking after watching shikaras glide across Dal Lake as a child. His win has already encouraged over 80 local youth to join training programmes, according to Mir. She highlighted that the festival has opened doors for the valley’s sporting talent to shine nationally.
The event was jointly organised by the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). It marked the region’s growing role in promoting water sports and tourism while empowering local athletes. PM Modi also lauded Pulwama for hosting its first-ever day-night cricket match during the same week, reflecting the changing face of youth engagement in the Union Territory.
Olympic Dreams
With his eyes set firmly on the Olympics, Ali said he is committed to working hard for his ultimate goal. “My dream is to win a medal for India at the Olympics. That is the biggest stage, and I want to make my country proud,” he said.
The prime minister, moved by Ali’s determination, ended their conversation with heartfelt praise: “Really enjoyed talking to you. Convey my special thanks to your father, who shaped your journey through hard work, and to your coach, who trained you with such dedication.”
