Chandigarh December 5 : Chandigarh Gatka Association (CGA) would organize its first State Gatka Open Championship (Men & Women) at Khalsa Senior School Sector-30 Chandigarh from December 14 to 15. Gatka players in age category of under-14, under-17, under-19 and under-22 could participate in the tournament.
Stating this here today Dr Deep Singh, President, Chandigarh Gatka Association (Regd.) said that the competition would be held according to the Rules set forth by Gatka Federation of India (GFI) and the winners would be awarded with medals and certificates. He further informed that everybody could participate in the Gatka events being a sport as the GFI has adopted the conventional sports uniform as a new dress code in the Rules book to play Gatka game in all competitions to make it a ‘Cosmopolitan Sport’.
He said that earlier, the Gatka was only the domain of males, now even the females have been outperforming the males by displaying their rare acumen in the Gatka sport. He categorically said that promotion of Gatka as a sport at national as well as international arena would not only strengthen the bonds of communal harmony and universal brotherhood but also play a significant role in spreading the message of peace and love amongst all comity of nations.
He lamented said that that it was irony of fate that Gatka have been denied its due status and recognition but on the contrary several games, which even had not Indian origin and lesser known games, have already been included in the schedule of National sports and University Games calendar. Adding further Dr Deep Singh said that Gatka sport would also be included into the gradation list of general sports so that Gatka players could also avail the benefits being provided to the sportspersons. "Promotion of Gatka as a global sport would certainly project India as the world’s largest democracy committed to secularism and unity in diversity, he asserted.
It is mentioned here that it is a style of fighting only with sticks between two Gatka players, intended to simulate the sword and focuses on infusing physical, spiritual and mental fitness. No sharp edged weapons are used in the transformed Gatka game. The present martial art form, Gatka, has been acknowledged as a sport and being played in the entire country and diaspora.
