Chandigarh 10 February: Holy city Amritsar would write a new chapter in history in the sports arena by hosting firstever womenfolk’s martial art Gatka competition at Central Khalsa Orphanage here on March 11. Feminine Gatkebaaz teams from all districts of Punjab would participate in first Punjab State Women Gatka open Championship (Junior and Senior)-2012. The Punjab Gatka Association (PGA), a registered sports body promoting traditional Indian martial art, is organizing this Gatka tournament.
Disclosing this S. Harjeet Singh Grewal General Secretary PGA said that the competition would be held according to the Rules set forth by the Gatka Federation of India (GFI) and the overall winners would be awarded cash prizes, trophies and certificates. "Women Gatka teams in the age groups of under 14, under 17, under 19, under 22 and under 25 from more than 18 districts would participate in this mega event", he added.
The PGA General Secretary 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. "The Federation has decided to promote the ancient martial art amongst young girls and household women so that they could protect themselves," he added.
Mr Grewal 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 further informed that GFI has adopted the conventional sports uniform (i.e. Track Suits or T-shirt with Knickers, Sneakers and a Headgear for protection) as a new dress code in the Rules book to play Gatka game in all competitions to make it a ‘Cosmopolitan Sport’ which was earlier almost on the verge of extinction.
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.
Mr Grewal lamented 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 Indian Olympic and National University Games for the reasons best known to the concerned authorities.
He asserted that promotion of Gatka as a global sport would certainly project India as the world’s largest democracy committed to secularism and unity in diversity in the light of its historical legacy.
