Punjab Sports Minister inaugurates 29th Senior National Men and Women Wushu Championship at Chandigarh University

Chandigarh/SAS Nagar: The 29th Senior National Men & Women Wushu Championship 2021 kicked off to a flying start at the campus of Chandigarh University Gharuan. Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Minister for Sports, Youth & NRI Affairs, Government of Punjab along with Bhupinder Singh Bajwa, President, Wushu Association of India (WAI) and Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh University inaugurated the 29th Senior National Wushu Championship organized by Wushu Association of India.

More than 43 teams comprising of 1000 players from all 28 State, Union Territories, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, Services Sports Control Board are participating in the 5-day National Championship.

While addressing at the inauguration ceremony of the Senior National Wushu championship, Cabinet Minister  Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, said “ The sports of Wushu which originated from China has become popular in India in a very short span of time; we are proud that our players have made a mark at International level.” The Minister advocated considering Wushu not only a sport but also as a self-defense tool for women and children.  “It is becoming increasingly important that women and especially children should learn martial art for self-protection right from the school level which is very important in modern day scenario of rising child and women harassment cases in the society,” said he.

While replying to the question on the upcoming Punjab Sports University at Patiala, Cabinet Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi informed that out of the total budget of Rs 500 crores, an initial amount of Rs 25 crore was released in 2020 for setting up the academic, administration and hostel block of the University. In the upcoming budget, sizeable additional amount would be allocated which will speed up the work. Reiterating Punjab government’s commitment towards promotion of sports culture, the Minister said that, “ Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University would go a long way in promoting Sports Science, Sports Technology, Sports Management and Sports Coaching in the state”. He informed that Punjab government is in the process to sign MoU with UK’s Loughborough University for offering short term courses and degree programs in sports and physical education, the minister added.

Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi further said that “Although the game of Wushu originated from China but players like Poonam Khatri, Parveen Kumar have made India proud with their achievements by winning Wushu World Championship in 2019”.

Arjuna awardee, Dronacharya Awardee International and National players of Wushu included Puja Kadian, Sandhya Rani, Bimoljit Singh and Kuldeep Handu were honoured by the Chandigarh University during the opening ceremony of the National Wushu championship.

The 29th edition of the National Men and Women Wushu Championship will witness two forms of the game; Sanshou and Taolu. The men’s tournament has been divided into 9 weight categories Under 44 kg, -48 kg, -52 kg, -56 kg, -60 kg, -65 kg, -70 kg, -75 kg, over 75 while the women’s tournament will see players participating in Under 40 kg, -45 kg, -48 kg, -52 kg, -56 kg, -60 kg,--65 kg, over 65 kg weight categories. Qualifying matches of men and women in all the categories of Sanda event of Senior National Wushu championship were played on the first day of the event.

Satnam Singh Sandhu Chancellor Chandigarh University said, “This is the first mega National level sports Championship being organized in Punjab after the fearful year of pandemic special arrangements keeping in mind and the Covid-19 guidelines has been made by Chandigarh University so that the players can perform the best to their ability without having any fear”.