First Federation Gatka Cup commences in Chandigarh

First Federation Gatka Cup commences in Chandigarh

State Govts, Institutions must Promote Gatka Game As Self Defence: Baba Gurdev Singh Nanaksar

First ‘Champions Gatka Trophy’ to be in Kurukshetra: Grewal

Nabaz-e-Punjab Bureau, Chandigarh 22 April:
The first Federation Gatka Cup organized by the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI) commenced on Saturday in Sports Complex, Sector 34 Chandigarh with traditional spirit and excitement which was inaugurated by Sant Baba Gurdev Singh, Gurdwara Nanaksar Chandigarh. He was accompanied by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President, of the National Gatka Association, Hardeep Singh Butrela, President, of Chandigarh Gatka Association, and NS Thakur, General Secretary, of the Chandigarh Olympic Association.

On the occasion, Baba Gurdev Singh Nanaksar blessed the guest players participating from different states and said the efforts of the NGAI in recognizing and promoting the game nearly 600 years old, were commendable. He exhorted that the Gatka was a very cheap, easy and good for self-defence, so all the state governments and various organizations should support the NGAI in promoting this sport, to keep the youth away from drugs and connect them with their traditional values, heritage.

Harjeet Singh Grewal, President, NGAI, announced that the 11th National Championship and the Second Federation Cup would feature boys and girls teams from from at least 20 states. He also declared that in order to continue the preparations of the players for the big ticket tournaments, the national level competition of the first Champions Trophy would be held in Kurukshetra in September in collaboration with the Haryanvi Gatka Association.

Disclosing this here today Rajdeep Singh Bali, General Secretary, Chandigarh Gatka Association and Simranjit Singh, Finance Secretary said Gatka teams comprising boys and girls from 13 states were participating in this two days national tournament.

Before the inauguration of the Federation Cup, an ‘Ardas’ was performed with pray for success. Besides, the players and technical officials took official oath to play and conduct the competition with the ideal sportsmanship and transparent manner.

During this tournament, talented Gatka players Simrpreet Kaur and Harneet Kaur demonstrated martial art skills and played Gatka under the guidance of Shubhkaran Singh, Head, Sikh Heritage Sports Department and Bhai Gursharan Singh Australia, Gatka Coach, both from Dasmesh Gurmat Vidyalaya, Tarnet, Melbourne.

On this occasion among others NGAI Vice President Sukhchain Singh, General Secretary Harjinder Kumar, Joint Secretary Jatin Kumar, Zonal Coordinator Jaswant Singh Khalsa Chhattisgarh, Harpreet Singh Uttarakhand, Gurmeet Singh Rana Delhi, Pandurang Ambure Maharashtra, Ravinder Singh OP Jammu, Finance Secretary International Sikh Martial Art Council Baljit Singh, General Secretary, Chandigarh Olympic Association NS Thakur, Jashpal Singh Malik, Inderjodh Singh Zirakpur, President District Gatka Association Rupnagar Bibi Manjit Kaur, Harpreet Singh Lodimajra etc. were also present.

Results : During first day competitions held in Farrie-Soti team events in women category Haryana has defeated Jammu in first semifinal final whereas Delhi lost to Punjab in second semifinal contest. In Gatka Soti individual events for women, Haryana has beaten Punjab in first semifinal whereas Madhya Pradesh lost to

Jharkhand in second semifinals.

In men category Gatka Sotti team events, Punjab team has defeated Chattisgarh in first semifinal whereas Chandigarh beats Uttrakhand in second semifinal contest.