Punjab wins 9th National Gatka Championship, Chandigarh 2nd and Delhi 3rd
Deputy Commissioner calls gatka a heritage self-defence game
Ferozepur: Punjab today clinched the 9th National Gatka Championship overall trophy during the three days event held at Mata Sahib Kaur Public School Guru Harsahai, Ferozepur. In this national tournament Chandigarh and Delhi stood at 2nd and 3rd place respectively in which 535 players from 16 states participated.
Deputy Commissioner Ferozepur Gurpal Singh Chahal and Information Commissioner Punjab Anumit Singh Hira Sodhi handed over medals to the winning teams as Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi could not attend the event due to his unavoidable busy schedule thereby Deputy Commissioner and Information Commissioner attended this event as a chief guest and special guest respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner said Gatka is a historical and self defence martial art vis-a-vis more and more children needs to be motivated towards this game so that this traditional sport could flourish across the globe.
While addressing the gathering, Anumit Hira Sodhi assured the Gatka Association on behalf of the Sports Minister that no stone would be left unturned in the promotion of Gatka. He announced that a Gatka training center and gym for physical fitness of children would be started shortly at Guru Harsahai. He also announced that a grant of Rs. 5 lakh would be given to the Gatka Association for holding the National Championship.
On this occasion, the President of National Gatka Association of India Harjeet Singh Grewal and the President of Gatka Association of Punjab Harbir Singh Duggal also enlightened the players about the achievements of martial art Gatka.
Among others present on the occasion included social activist Atamjit Singh David, Dr. Pritam Singh Vice President National Gatka Association, Harjinder Kumar Joint Secretary, Baljit Singh Finance Secretary, Kamal Pal Singh President District Gatka Association Ferozepur and Principal of the school Dr. Pankaj Dhamija.